Polish tourists shift preferences, domestic bookings fall as demand moves abroad

Owners of private apartments in Croatia and along the Polish Baltic coast report a rise in last‑minute cancellations, with tourist arrivals in Split down 6 % and overnight stays 4 % lower than a year earlier. Google data show a 31.8 % drop in searches for Polish seaside, lake and mountain destinations, while interest in foreign holidays rose 12.5 %, led by Italy, Spain and Turkey. A recent poll finds that half of Poles now plan trips themselves, only 13.6 % choose all‑inclusive packages and 30 % prioritize sightseeing over beach relaxation. Despite 44 % still preferring a domestic vacation, one‑third believe it is more expensive than travelling abroad, prompting many to save year‑round. The Tatra region faces a weak start to the season, with hotels and guesthouses reporting many empty rooms and owners relying on pensions, while visitors from Gulf countries remain a small but notable segment. Interest in far‑off destinations is also growing, exemplified by South Korea’s appeal to Polish travellers for active holidays, cycling events and marathons.