Is there a problem with tourists in Bolesławiec?

At the beginning of the holiday season, we asked Agnieszka Gergont, the city hall spokesperson, whether the number of foreign tourists was increasing or decreasing. “I cannot answer that question yet. We are only at the beginning of the season,” the spokesperson replied at the time. This information will not be known until September. “We then call hotels and guesthouses and ask what the tourist season was like in a given year,” Agnieszka Gergont.

However, as the spokesperson warns, the data will certainly not be precise. Not all tourists contact the Tourist Information Point. Some groups of foreigners stop in our city only while passing through. “Until last year, the trend was upward,” Agnieszka Gergont notes. “We would like to have as many tourists as possible,” she adds. But, as she emphasizes, it should be remembered that many factors influence whether a tourist decides to visit our city, including the weather.

How do officials promote Bolesławiec?

“We focus on personal contacts,” the city office spokesperson explains. According to Gergont, “word of mouth” is very important in promoting the city. In addition, the city prepares promotional materials and campaigns. This year, officials promoted Bolesławiec in Międzyzdroje.

Through the eyes of entrepreneurs

“Four years ago, there was a greater influx of foreign tourists,” admits Wiesław Dudziak, owner of Willis pizzeria. Among foreign visitors, the establishment is visited primarily by Germans, Americans and Italians. “Someone always drops in during the season. About 20% are foreign tourists,” he adds.

According to Bogusław Nowak, owner of Villa Ambasada, shopping tourism previously dominated in Bolesławiec. Foreigners were attracted by ceramics, which could be bought very cheaply. Now the złoty has strengthened. Prices have gone up.

“There are extremely few genuine tourists,” notes Bogusław Nowak. “Those who come here say that the city has potential, and that it is interesting and beautiful.” The problem, according to the entrepreneur, is that the city authorities are doing too little to attract tourists. “A tourist needs a rich offering,” Nowak emphasizes. “We need an idea. And the will of the entire city, beyond political divisions. At present, there is no such thing as a tourism policy. So far, nothing is being done in this direction—apart from spending huge amounts of money on tons of leaflets and maps,” he adds.

As the owner of Villa Ambasada claims, the focus should instead be on building the legend of our city. “Every element counts, every figure. Even one as disliked as Kutuzov,” Nowak explains. In his view, Bolesławiec could also make use of the fact that Napoleon visited our city five times.

A tourist city?

“Tourists visit us almost every day,” Krystyna Juszkiewicz from the Tourist Information Point tells the IstotneInformacje.pl portal. “We do not keep detailed statistics. But as far as the number of tourists is concerned, it is similar to previous years,” she adds.Krystyna Juszkiewicz from the Tourist Information Point. “We do not keep detailed statistics. But as far as the number of tourists is concerned, it is similar to previous years,” she adds.

What is more, it turns out that Dutch, French and Czech visitors are coming increasingly often, as well as... tourists from Poland. Recently, a Warsaw resident visited Bolesławiec. “He learned from the media that there are many initiatives here, cultural events and beautiful areas,” Krystyna Juszkiewicz recounts. “He left very happy. He said he would definitely return to this area.”

According to the Bolesławiec resident, there could be far more tourists: “They are looking for something they have not experienced or seen before.” Initiatives such as Gliniada could attract them. “We will certainly never be a typically tourist destination,” says Juszkiewicz. “Tourists will not stay with us for long. It is enough if they come for two or three days. Such visitors already come. But let us hope there will be more of them,” she adds.

Bolesławiec residents on the city’s tourist appeal

We asked our readers: Is Bolesławiec attractive as a tourist destination? Below, we present the results of the poll on this subject.