Coolcation drives tourism in Poland. 45 million overnight stays for 18 million guests in six months

In the first half of 2025, 18.2 million tourists stayed overnight in Poland, including 3.8 million from abroad – according to a report by the consulting agency Cushman & Wakefield. As added, according to forecasts, in the years 2025-2029 the number of overnight stays by international tourists will increase by 5.3%. annually.

As indicated in the publication describing the Cushman & Wakefield “Trends Radar” study, tourists in Poland generated 44.9 million overnight stays in the first half of 2025, which is an increase of 8.5%. year to year. It was noted that the number of overnight stays for tourists from outside Poland has already exceeded the levels from 2019, i.e. before the pandemic. “2025 brought continued demand recovery and very good operating results,” it was assessed.

According to the report, the hotel occupancy rate until August this year was approximately 70 percent, and the RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) results in the main locations in Poland “clearly exceed the values ​​from 2019.” It also noted that, according to forecasts, in the years 2025-2029, the number of domestic hotel nights will increase by an average annual rate of 2.4%, and the number of international tourist overnight stays will increase by 5.3%. annually. According to the authors of the publication, these estimates confirm the growing role of Poland as a destination on the European tourist map.

It was noted that in 2024, Warsaw alone was visited by over 12.2 million peoplei.e. by 10 percent. more than a year earlier. The number of overnight stays for visitors also increased – by 7.5%. Over 5 million tourists stayed in the capital, generating over 8 million overnight stays. Most of those visiting Warsaw were domestic tourists (68%). 32 percent people came from abroad. Among the latter, most people came from:

• Ukraine (15.6%),
• USA (12.3%),
• Germany (8.7%),
• Great Britain (7.9%).

More than half of all visits were short leisure trips, 31%. were business trips, and 15 percent family and social visits – added.

It was also noted that the capital of Poland remains the “leader of the hotel market” in Poland. Of the over 240 hotels operating in Masovia, 40 percent is located in Warsaw. This city is also home to 15 of the 16 five-star properties.

The strong increase in tourist traffic has a direct impact on the commercial sector – especially in the central districts of the city. It is estimated that foreign tourists are responsible for 22-25%. total retail turnover in the center of Warsaw. They spend the most on fashion and accessories, gastronomy, luxury goods and entertainment. This, in turn, increases the attractiveness of commercial locations – both for international brands and investors – said the authors of the publication.

They also pointed out that Warsaw attracts business guests thanks to its developed conference infrastructure, a rich offer of industry events and an expanding network of air connections. It was added that almost one third of foreign tourists visit the capital of Poland for business purposes. It was noted that the competitiveness of Warsaw is also influenced by the quality of urban infrastructure and its constant modernization, and the areas around the Centrum and Świętokrzyska metro stations are today the most frequently used pedestrian areas in Poland. As an example, Chmielna Street is visited by 20 million people annually.

Experts in the report also said that in one of the ones visible in the summer season this year. the phenomenon is the so-called “coolcation”, i.e. consciously choosing cooler holiday destinations in response to heat waves in southern European countries. As a result, for example, cities and resorts located on the Baltic coast recorded a 30% increase. an increase in the number of visitors, and hotel occupancy returned to pre-pandemic levels – added Ewa Derlatka-Chilewicz from Cushman & Wakefield, quoted in the publication.

It was also indicated that in the first half of this year the transaction volume in the hotel segment amounted to approximately EUR 80 million, which was twice as large as in the same period of 2024.

Marcin Kocerba from Cushman & Wakefield noted that the construction of the Central Communication Port will have a long-term impact on the hotel market in Warsaw and the central part of the country. “This is an impulse to develop new hotel projects in previously unobvious locations, increase investments in the business & transit segment and expand conference facilities,” said the expert. (PAP)

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