POLAND: MICE BEYOND THE THRESHOLD OF THE 21ST CENTURY

WHY CHOOSE POLAND AS A MICE DESTINATION?

As most intercontinental and European Mice destinations are fiercely trying to secure their place among the rapidly changing conditions of the young 21st century, Poland has definitely not missed the start of the new era. To the great surprise of many international organizers Poland is shaking off the remnants of the old communist days at a speed that not even the most optimistic analysts would have predicted only a decade ago. Surely the Polish nation never really carried communism deep in its heart, but the recovery is truly remarkable.

SO WHAT CAN BE THE SECRET OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE?
WHY IS POLAND STARTING TO BOOM FOR MICE?

Is it because Polish politicians embrace NATO and the European Union? Perhaps yes, at least to some extent.
But there is much more to it than politics.
Poland is a safe country to the international traveller, the people are friendly, the Polish traditions are not for sale, access is becoming increasingly simple, standards required for Mice are improving steadily as new hotels and venues open their doors in the major cities, fine destination management companies supporting Mice organizers offer a wide variety of quality products.
Skill, professionalism and willpower, all visibly present, are key qualities and a guarantee for Poland's race to be qualified soon among the leading Mice destinations within the European family.
The conditions to make it a success story are present. From now on it just takes worldwide broadcasting through promotion and public relations.

WHAT SHOULD POLAND DO IN THE FUTURE TO ATTRACT MORE INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS?

The answer is simple :

a) Increase efforts and spend higher budgets on Convention and Visitor's Bureau and National Tourist Board activities,

b) Increase the capacities of the national airline carrier LOT, introducing new and more spacious aircraft, offer a wide scale both nationally and internationally connected network,

c) Keep prices under control at all levels.

SUCCESFUL MICE DESTINATION AND VENUES?

Clearly every client has his own preferences, budgets, style and personal requirements.
LOT Polish airlines organised this fam trip in cooperation with BBT Online. The incentive houses visited Warsaw and Krakow, together with a delegation of Belgian and Dutch professional Mice organizers.

Veerle Pannekoek/THA, Aleixo de Quieroz/Action Travel, Evi Coumans/C.I.S. Incentive Travel, Mark Nuytemans/Intensive Incentives, Mathieu Meers, Michel Tellin/Worldtravel BTI, Nicole Pianet/Tours 33, Annette J.TH. Eikmans/Interconnectie, Karin Romkes/Airtrade, Robert Sanders/LOT

In four days they visited a kaleidoscope of hotels, venues, museums, restaurants and tourist locations.

Fine memories together with a lot of useful material for future events were eventually the result of all the visits.
The list outlined below has no pretension to be complete, but including one or more of these elements in your event will help you to establish a successful and unforgettable experience.

After having gathered all of the comments of the visiting delegates during the four-day trip, it is safe to say that the 2003 awards for outstanding quality and excellence go to:

HOTELS

- The Radisson SAS hotels in Warsaw and Krakow,
- The Marriott Warsaw,
- The Sheraton Warsaw,
- The Hyatt Regency Warsaw,
- The Copernicus and Holiday Inn hotels Krakow.

AIRLINE

- LOT Polish Airlines (valued economy class, outstanding European business class)
- www.lot.com

VENUES AND RESTAURANTS

- The Lazienki Park in Warsaw, including the Palace on the Water, the Orangerie and the Belvedere restaurant,
- The Wilanow Palace outside Warsaw,
- The Tsarina and Villa Nuova restaurants in Warsaw,
- The entire city centre of Krakow,
- The Wentzl restaurant in Krakow,
- The Villa Decius restaurant outside Krakow.

DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY

- Intercrac in Krakow.
email: ic@intercrac.com.pl
www.intercrac.com.pl

Some propositions of venues and activities that Intertrac proposes:

Sherlock Holmes in Krakow
City sightseeing and tracking the great detective – Sherlock Holmes was asked by Lord Butterfly to come to Krakow to find the lost star of London cabarets – the beautiful Diana Scott. After crossing the city gates, he made his first steps to the famous café and cabaret in Florianska Street – Jama Michalika. This is where he was last seen before disappearing. The players have to find Sherlock Holmes in Krakow. They will visit the most interesting historic sites during the investigation: Main Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church, the oldest University building – Collegium Maiaus and Wawel Royal Castle.

Discovering the Wieliczka Salt Mine
A mine that has been in operation since the 13th c. Its underground corridors, chambers and stunning chapels with chandeliers made of crystal salt are unique in the world. The unusual visit will give you the opportunity to hunt for a salt treasure, to experience miners’ life and job as it was in the old days, and to admire ‘light and sound’ effects. The best players will get awards: sculptures and lamps carved in salt.

Evening at Slowacki Theatre
This beautiful building, modelled on the Paris Opera, was completed in 1893. Its splendid, richly ornate interiors create unforgettable atmosphere. A private performance can be arranged like a ballet or opera, and then to enjoy a refined dinner in the beautiful foyers of the theatre.

Farewell to Communism
This party is organised at the ground of the steel works (the largest investment of communist rule in Krakow). Intercrac Travel offers one of the oldest engine rooms, Polish cuisine, Polish music from the communist period, a happening and a presentation of socrealistic films.

Pub crawling
There are about 200 pubs in the old centre of Krakow; most of them are located in beautiful medieval cellars. A party called ‘pub crawling’ will take place in 10 different pubs where everybody will get points in his ‘point book’. Points can be gathered thanks to participation in various competitions like: darts, playing ‘twenty-one’ the card game, dicing and beer drinking. Everybody needs to take part in 5 different competitions in 5 different pubs. Later on, all competitors meet in one of the biggest pubs where all the points are counted, results announced and prizes awarded.

With thanks to LOT Polish Airlines for making this trip possible.