Emptying the POT

The Polish Tourist Organization (POT) and Polish Chamber of Tourism (PIT) warned that the Ministry of Economy's plans could cost Polish tourism a considerable amount of money. The agencies are worried that they could lose around zł.608 million in funding.

The Ministry of Economy has modified section six of the as-yet-unimplemented Innovative Economy Operational Programme 2007-2013, a scheme channeling EU funds worth a total of E9.7 (zł.35.2) billion into the economy. The Ministry's amendment six combines promotion of the Polish economy, culture and tourism.

The heads of both POT and PIT claimed that the changes will make it impossible to obtain approximately E30 (zł.108) million allocated in the previous version of the program for the promotion of Polish tourism. Moreover, they said, tourism, economy and culture are significantly different areas and require different tools for promotion.

The agencies also complained that E138 (zł.500) million designated for promoting supra-regional cultural and tourism products will now be managed by the Polish Agency for Regional Development (PARP) and not by POT as previously stipulated. POT's president, Rafał Szmytke, stressed that to compete successfully with other countries, Polish tourism needs at least zł.60 million annually for promotion.

Although the government is about to change, the Ministry of Economy's decision will have a lasting impact, claimed the head of POT. "Obtaining funds is a long-term process, independent of changes in the government," said Szmytke.

Representatives of the Ministry of Economy were unavailable for comment.