According to the report by Travelist.pl, the largest accumulation of bookings took place during the second holiday period, which accounted for nearly 37%. all transactions.
Therefore, the first half of February turned out to be crucial for the results of the entire season. The first term generated just over 30%. traffic, and the third 33%, which shows that the season was more condensed than the year before.
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Changes in tours have had an impact on the industry
The change in the calendar – three tours starting and ending on the same day instead of four overlapping – limited the flow of bookings and made it difficult to maintain high occupancy for a long time.
— However, it is worth refuting the price argument that it influenced travelers' decisions – the increases were several percent and close to the inflation level. Therefore, the rates did not limit demand, the change in the season structure was more important – emphasizes Eliza Maćkiewicz from Travelist.pl.
Sea and mountains with almost the same share
As the report shows, in terms of destinations, winter tourist traffic is again concentrated in two segments. 40 percent went to the seaside. reservations, and to the mountains 39 percent, while cities and health resorts accounted for a total of 12 percent and trips to lakes for 8 percent.
In part mountain, the most popular were Szklarska Poręba, Świeradów-Zdrój, Szczyrk, Wisła and Karpacz. In turn, the Baltic Sea was dominated by Kołobrzeg, Gdańsk, Mielno, Międzyzdroje and Ustronie Morskiewith Kołobrzeg remaining the popularity leader in all three tournaments.
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Prices rose slower than fears
As the report notesthe costs of stays increased moderately and in practice corresponded to the level of inflation. On average, accommodation with meals for a family with a child in the mountains paid about PLN 660, i.e. 6%. more than a year earlier. At the lakes it was PLN 560 (+5%), and at the seaside it was PLN 470 (+4%).
Holiday prices in 2026 increased slightly year-on-year
Ski resorts have traditionally remained the most expensive. In Białka Tatrzańska the prices reached PLN 1,000 per day, and in Kudowa-Zdrój, Krynica-Zdrój, Szczawnica and Szczyrk they ranged from PLN 830-900. For comparison, on the Baltic Sea the highest average rates – nearly PLN 700 – were recorded in Pogorzelica, while in Gdańsk it was about PLN 470, in Kołobrzeg PLN 510 and in Świnoujście PLN 440.
Poor start to the season for several reasons
As Travelist.pl points out, the lower attendance at the beginning of the holidays was largely the result of the extended Christmas and New Year break, which generated strong tourist traffic even before the start of the winter holidays. Additionally, very good snow conditions in January meant that many skiers chose short, one-day trips to the nearest resorts instead of longer trips.
— Part of the demand that traditionally fell at the beginning of the holidays has moved to the turn of the year. Travelers used the local ski infrastructure more often than in previous years – comments the Travelist.pl expert.
Valentine's Day week was the best for hoteliers – the peak of the season fell on February 9-15. During this time, the average occupancy rate in hotels in Poland reached 74 percent, and in the mountains as much as 78 percent. Importantly, it was a moment of intensive trips not only for couples, but also for families with children.
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Clear regional differences
In the first round, which included, among others: Masovia and Pomerania, trips to the mountains dominated, although for winter the share of lakes was also high. On the second date, when the southern voivodeships had holidays, the sea gained the advantage. The third round brought an almost perfect draw between the north and south of Poland.
Year to year the interest in towns such as Bystra in the Silesian Beskids, Janów Podlaski, Trzęsacz, Władysławowo and Jarnołtówek was growing the mostwhile significantly fewer tourists than last year were attracted by, among others, Dąbki, Sopot, Iława, Kudowa-Zdrój and Sosnówka in the Karkonosze Mountains, as shown by Travelist.pl.
Some destinations have become much more popular this holiday season
Conclusions for the market
This year's holidays have shown that not only the price level but, above all, the calendar and the distribution of demand over time are of key importance for the industry's results. Accumulating traffic in a shorter period favors record weeks and high occupancy, but at the same time makes long-term revenue planning and seat availability management difficult,
