The Polish government could issue domestic travel vouchers
to citizens to spark demand after Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
Poland’s Ministry of Development and the Polish Tourist
Organization are considering vouchers worth 1,000 zloty (about $238) available
to the general public.
According to a Ministry of Development spokesperson, the
proposed “1000 Plus Program” would be designed to buoy the Polish tourism
industry, including “tourism organizers, tourism agents and other providers of
tourist services.”
Under the initiative, citizens could redeem vouchers for
leisure trips and activities, including exhibitions and cultural,
entertainment, recreational, sporting or outdoor events.
The specifics of the plan are still under consideration. The
Ministry of Development expects to have further details on distribution
strategies and program funding in the coming weeks.
Poland wouldn’t be the first European country to introduce
domestic tourism vouchers in recent years.
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development, the Romanian government introduced a tourism voucher program as an
employer benefit in 2018. The voucher is designed to be spent by employees on
domestic accommodations, transportation, spas and wellness services, food and
beverage, and entertainment.
Slovakia implemented a similar voucher program earlier this
year, offering employees “recreational vouchers” for domestic travel,
accommodations and tourist activities. Under Slovakia’s initiative, companies
of more than 49 people are required to provide the vouchers to employees who
have worked for them for at least 24 months.