Poland Outbound Tourism

1. Introduction This report will discuss the essence of outbound tourism. Growing generating market will be identified and the key forces/ drivers that have contributed to the rise of this market. Will be considered using quantitative and qualitative data the case of how important this market will be in the medium- term future (up to five years). It will be presented the case for one new opportunity for tourism entrepreneurs targeting this generating market over the next five years. 2. Outbound tourism Outbound tourism is the number of departures that people make from their country of usual residence to any other country for any purpose other than an activity remunerated in the country visited (World tourism organization, 2012). 3.1. Outbound tourism of Poland The 21st century began in many regions with the rising spatial mobility of both individuals and goods, and with opening borders. The rising spatial mobility of individuals is connected to the diversity of motivations such as leisure, shopping, work and business, and social networks. This new societal mobility is empowered by rising cross-border information flows, ICT use and the expanding meaning of virtual and mental travel (Sheller and Urry, 2006). Outbound tourism is a developing market that is yet to reach maturity in comparison to the outbound markets of other major EU economies. The opportunity to travel abroad has been seized upon by Polish citizens as its economy has become more advanced. Poland’s membership to the EU, which began in May 2004, provided a major lift to outbound travel, as foreign airlines and travel companies gained access to the Poland market. Meanwhile, the development of package holidays offering cheap deals to foreign countries encouraged more people to travel. Many things can be a reason for travelling abroad. Business relationships, a desire to visit new places, to explore another culture. (OECD Tourism Trends and Policies, 2010 ). Until the early

References: Tourism Mobilities: Places to Play, Places in Play- Sheller and Urry, 2006 Travel and Tourism – economic Impact 2012 http://www.wttc.org/site_media/uploads/downloads/world2012.pdf - accessed 01.12.2012