In order to create awareness about Polish tourism products in India, the Polish Tourist Organisation (PTO), recently organized a 3-city roadshow in India. The raodshows were organized in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Led by Emilia Kubik, Project Leader for ‘I Like Poland’ programme, Polish Tourist Organisation, the delegation comprised of Poland Convention Bureau, Grupa Trip, Holiday Travel, ICP Group and Mazurkas Travel, Furnel Travel International, Melody Tours, Poland Tour, Local Tourist Organisation of Plock and Dwór Sieraków. The roadshow aimed at educating the Indian travel trade with its new offerings in MICE and leisure segment. PTO will also launch Poland Specialist Training programme in India by end of this year.
Interestingly, Poland Convention Bureau participated in India roadhsow for the first time. The presence of the Bureau along with 4 MICE specialist companies clearly states that the PTO’s strategy is to portray Poland as a MICE destination in India. Aneta Ksiazek, Chief Conference Expert, Poland Convention Bureau, said that MICE is a relatively new concept in Poland. “We offer unique and historical venues, varied range of accommodation and warm hospitality and professional organizers. Our objective is to tell the Indian market that Poland is ready to host events,” she said and added that they will be going to China and Japan to organize similar roadshows. According to her, the government has developed new convention centres in the last decade, along with unique venues including coal mines, salt mines, etc. “The Wieliczka Salt mine can host a gathering up to 600 people that too 300m below the ground. There are plenty of castles that can be used as conference venues,” she said.
Talking about the marketing strategy to promote MICE, she said that PTO will organize FAM trips for potential tour operators from India which will help in our efforts to eastblish Poland as a MICE destination. “India holds great potential as Europe is an aspirational destination for many Indians. However, the country needs more visibility in the Indian market. Through our ‘I Like Poland’, we are enabling Polish MICE operators to meet their Indian counterpart,” she said.
The programme ‘I Like Poland’ aims to establish Poland as a fascinating destination in Asian markets of China, India, and Japan. “We will be focusing on travel trade in India and Japan. We are also planning to conduct FAM trips for agents and media. We also plan to launch media campaign in the next 1-2 months,” Kubik said. Poland received 15 million tourists last year, out of which 20,000 are Indians.
Talking about the air connectivity, Kubik said that this is not a problem. “Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways connects Poland from their respective hubs. Both these airlines have a good reach in India. Moreover, Air France – KLM, Finnair among others also connect Poland. Warsaw, the Polish capital, is connected with 40 cities globally,” she said and added that Poland’s tourism products completely suit to Indian travelers who are looking experiential travel.
