Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Poland’s Travel & Tourism sector is poised for a record-breaking year in 2025, with forecasts pointing to a strong rebound to pre-pandemic economic levels. This surge comes as the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reports a return to significant growth in both GDP contribution and domestic spending, signaling a revitalized industry that is well-positioned for future expansion.
Strong Economic Recovery
In 2025, the Polish Travel & Tourism sector is expected to contribute an impressive PLN 165.5 billion to the nation’s economy, representing 4.4% of the national GDP. This marks a 5.9% increase over the sector’s previous peak in 2019, positioning Poland for a historic year of growth. The new milestone indicates a thriving industry that is not only recovering but surpassing pre-pandemic economic contributions, reinforcing its pivotal role in the Polish economy.
This resurgence in GDP contribution is complemented by a notable rise in employment, with the sector projected to support 901,100 jobs in 2025. This surpasses the employment levels seen in 2019, further underscoring the sector’s capacity to drive job creation and support long-term economic growth.
Domestic Tourism Demand on the Rise
Poland is also witnessing a boom in domestic tourism, with local visitor spending forecast to reach PLN 44.9 billion in 2025. This figure represents a 10.8% increase from the 2019 benchmark, pointing to the growing demand among Polish travelers for local leisure and tourism experiences. This surge in domestic spending highlights a robust and resilient travel culture, as more citizens explore their own country’s offerings, contributing significantly to the overall economy.
The strong performance of domestic tourism is indicative of a shifting landscape in consumer behavior, where local travel has taken center stage. The growing interest in exploring national destinations, local cultures, and regional landmarks is proving to be a driving force in the sector’s recovery.
International Visitor Spending Faces Challenges
While these figures are promising, the recovery of international tourism has been slower. In 2025, international spending by visitors is projected to total PLN 76.9 billion, remaining 2.8% lower than the figures recorded in 2019. This gap reveals ongoing challenges in attracting international travelers back to Poland at pre-pandemic levels. While recovery is underway, the sector faces an uphill battle in regaining its competitive edge within the global tourism market.
The need to accelerate the return of international tourism is evident, as Poland looks to bolster its appeal to travelers from abroad. Strategies to enhance global competitiveness, improve tourism infrastructure, and elevate Poland’s profile as a premier European destination will be critical to achieving a full recovery in this area.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Poland’s Travel & Tourism sector is showing promising signs of long-term growth. With economic contribution and domestic travel both set to break records this year, the foundations are clearly in place.
“To fully unlock the sector’s potential, continued investment in connectivity, infrastructure, and destination marketing will be key to driving inbound growth and maximising tourism’s economic impact.”
Looking Ahead: 2035 Projections
Looking further into the future, the WTTC’s 2035 forecast paints an optimistic picture for Poland’s Travel & Tourism sector. By this time, the sector could contribute PLN 221.8 billion to Poland’s GDP, or 4.8% of the national economy. This reflects a continued upward trajectory, with substantial growth in both economic contribution and employment.
Employment within the sector is projected to increase by more than 86,000 jobs over the next decade, reaching an estimated total of 987,300 by 2035. This job growth, driven by a burgeoning tourism market, will support Poland’s ongoing economic development and provide significant opportunities for both the domestic and international workforce.
Domestic visitor spending is expected to continue its upward trend, with a forecasted increase to PLN 57.7 billion by 2035. This further solidifies Poland’s position as a strong domestic tourism market. Meanwhile, international visitor spending is projected to grow to PLN 107.9 billion, gradually closing the gap with pre-pandemic spending levels and generating new economic opportunities.
Broader European Context
The European Union (EU) is continuing its recovery journey, with the Travel & Tourism sector projected to contribute approximately €1.8 trillion to the region’s GDP in 2024, representing more than 10% of the overall economic output. This represents an almost 6% increase from 2019 levels, demonstrating the EU’s robust recovery following the pandemic’s disruptions.
By the end of 2025, the EU Travel & Tourism sector is expected to reach nearly €1.9 trillion, or 10.5% of the EU’s GDP. Employment in the sector is also projected to rise, with an estimated 25.7 million people working in tourism-related jobs by 2025, representing 12% of the region’s total workforce.
Poland’s Travel & Tourism sector is clearly on the upswing, outpacing pre-pandemic benchmarks and setting new records for economic contributions and employment in 2025. The strong recovery of domestic tourism offers a bright outlook for the future, though international tourism remains a key area of focus for continued growth. Looking ahead, Poland’s projections for 2035 indicate a bright future, with further expansion expected in both GDP contribution and employment. As the global tourism landscape continues to evolve, Poland is well-positioned to capitalize on both local and international travel demand, contributing to a thriving economy.
