Unmissable opportunity
Some R140 (zł.483) million in European Union structural funds will be available for financing investments in tourism in Poland over the next few years. The Polish Tourist Organization (POT), which is responsible for the promotion and development of Polish tourism domestically and abroad, made a call for projects that could qualify for the funds within the program's "Investments in tourist products of supra-regional significance." The institution is already responsible for implementing the Innovative Economy Operational Program 2007-2013.
"This is an historic moment for the Polish tourism industry. Never before have we had such a large amount of European funds at our disposal," said Katarzyna Sobierajska, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Sport and Tourism. "We cannot miss this opportunity, which heavily depends on local governments as well as on non-governmental entities such as POT," she added.
Long-term effects
The EU funds will largely be available for investments in tourism carried out by government institutions and local-government administrations to support the most important and unique tourism-related initiatives, with a particular focus on aiding preparations for the Euro 2012 soccer championships. As experts and government officials responsible for the funds' distribution stressed, however, the financial assistance should not be perceived as strictly Euro 2012-oriented, but rather as aimed at long-term promotion of particular regions as well as the development of the Polish economy.
"A soccer fan is like every other tourist. We want to show him an interesting, modern Poland," said Rafał Szmytke, president of the board at POT. "We hope that he will come back to Poland [after Euro 2012] and bring more people with him, thus becoming an ambassador of our country abroad," he added.
Wider appeal
Preference will be given to projects located in at least two regions or which have the potential to attract tourists from neighboring regions, the whole country or from even further abroad. Funds are also likely to be channeled to projects envisaging support for unique tourist attractions including those entered into the UNESCO World Heritage List or deemed historical monuments by Poland's president. Excluded from the program are investments in hotels and restaurants which can be financed with funds from other sources.
The value of the projects applying for European funds within the program should amount to at least zł.10 million. They also ought to be ready to start before June 30, 2009 and completed by January 1, 2012. Projects that have already been financed by other programs will also be considered.
"The program allows for the financing of projects which were previously granted funds from other sources, including the state budget," said Karina Milan from POT's structural funds implementation department.
