The recording of our webinar with Marta Mills, organized as part of the CliNeDest. Climate Neutral Destinations project, is now available online!

The webinar focused on a key question: can tourism survive in a changing climate? We discussed what actions can be taken now to protect the industry and adapt to new challenges. This meeting was not only a reflection, but also provided specific tips and inspiring examples from Poland and around the world on sustainable and climate-resilient tourism development.

???? The recording of the webinar is available here: https://youtu.be/J-MgS1KY_ek

???? Results of the interactive Menti survey we conducted during the meeting: Download

The webinar was organized as part of the CliNeDest project, funded by the European Union under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Program 2021–2027.

More information about the CliNeDest project:

• • [PL]: CliNeDest. Climate Neutral Destinations
  • [EN]: CliNeDest – Interreg Baltic Sea Region

From March 25 to 30, 2025, Pomorskie will host Australian journalist Richard Coles, who writes about unique travel experiences for the award-winning website eglobal (Global Travel Media) https://eglobaltravelmedia.com.au/2024/12/19/global-travel-media-2025-award-winning-travel-news-leader/ .

 

During his several-day visit, the journalist explores the region, focusing primarily on Gdańsk and Sopot. He learns about the history and present day of the cities, walking with a guide and enjoying many pleasant experiences thanks to the Gdańsk Tourist Card and Sopot Tourist Card . Richard will visit, among others, the Forest Opera and the State Art Gallery in Sopot, and will also be a guest of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic in Gdańsk during a symphony concert.

 

The journalist’s interest in travel stems from his childhood spent in Canada, as well as the US and the UK, and from his long career in the aviation industry, during which he lived in nine different countries and worked in over 55. He now translates his travel experiences into articles that tell stories and spark interest, making readers want to include these places in their travel plans.

 

In his articles, the journalist aims to focus the attention of middle-aged and older tourists who want to learn more about destinations such as Pomerania and Poland. These are mature and experienced tourists who, while exploring the places they visit and enjoying the attractions available, also spend significant amounts of money, contributing to the city’s budget.

 

The study visit was organized by the Pomorskie Tourist Board in cooperation with the Sopot Tourist Organization and the Gdańsk Tourist Organization, and courtesy of cultural institutions in Gdańsk and Sopot.

The Pomorskie Tourist Board, as the leader of the Baltic Biking UPGRADE (BBU) project, is proud to present the first key materials supporting the development of cycling tourism in the southern Baltic region.

Cycling tourism is growing rapidly, and entrepreneurs and tourism organizations are faced with enormous potential – how to effectively attract cyclists and adapt their offer to their needs? As part of the BBU project, practical guides and analyses have been developed to help SMEs, tourist destinations, and experts better understand and take advantage of trends in cycling tourism.

???? Why is it worth it?

✅ The materials contain proven strategies and best practices used in Europe

✅ They are a source of inspiration for entrepreneurs, local governments, and tourism organizations

✅ They show how to effectively promote cycling services on international markets

New materials are now available!

???? We have prepared four valuable studies, which are available online:

1. Comparison of certification systems for bicycle-friendly places in Europe and conclusions from local workshops

???? Read the report

✔️ Analysis of various certification systems for bicycle-friendly places

✔️ Tips and recommendations for entrepreneurs in the Baltic region

2. Overview of bicycle-friendly services and offers along EuroVelo 10 in the Southern Baltic Sea region

???? See the analysis

✔️ Map of existing bicycle services and infrastructure in the region

✔️ Identification of gaps and opportunities for development

3. Marketing guide for EuroVelo 10 – aimed at SMEs and tourism organizations

???? Download the guide

✔️ Comprehensive tips on how to promote cycling services

✔️ Strategies for building a brand and reaching cycling tourists

4. Marketing strategy for cycling services and offers

???? Read the strategy

✔️ Action plan for the development of cycling services

✔️ How to increase the attractiveness of EuroVelo 10 on the international market

NOTE: All materials are available in English as they were created as part of an international project. However, we hope that they will be very useful for pomorskie companies and cycling experts who want to develop their services and attract cycling tourists to our region.

What’s next?

???? Let’s meet at Velo-city Gdańsk 2025! https://www.velo-city-conference.com/

On June 10-13, Gdańsk will become the world capital of cycling tourism. It is a great opportunity to talk about development opportunities, exchange experiences, and meet market leaders! We will have our BBU stand there, so join us!

???? New platform for multilateral cooperation around EuroVelo 10

An online platform will be launched soon, enabling:

✔️ Cooperation between entrepreneurs, tourism organizations, and cyclists

✔️ Development of services and promotion of companies on international markets

✔️ Exchange of knowledge and inspiration

As the leader of the Baltic Biking UPGRADE project, we are delighted to support the development of cycling tourism in Poland and the South Baltic region. We believe that the materials provided will be an invaluable aid to the tourism industry, local governments, and local businesses that want to tap into the potential of cycling tourism.

???? Download, share, and use these valuable resources!

See you on the EuroVelo 10 route!

An innovative culinary trail in pomorskie.

We would like to present you with a new culinary trail, the Pomorskie Taste, which features unique culinary tourism offers that are the result of the work of the project beneficiaries. We count on your participation and support in promoting this unique offer in the form of articles, posts, broadcasts, or other media activities. With your help, we want to ensure that this unique Pomorskie offer reaches a wide audience.

 

The BASCIL project, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Program 2021-2027, aims to develop culinary tourism in rural areas and strengthen the competitiveness of local food producers by activating them in the tourism industry.

 

Why is it worth participating?

According to data from the UNWTO – World Tourism Organization, culinary tourism is rapidly gaining popularity, and the Baltic Sea region has enormous potential to become one of the key destinations for this type of travel.

Visit program

You can find the detailed visit program at the following link: program

 

Applications

Please send your applications to Ms. Barbara Makurat b.makurat@prot.gda.pl by March 20, 2025.

 

⚠️ The number of places is limited – we will contact you to confirm your participation.

Project work and planning further activities

On the second day of the meeting, the partners took part in project workshops held at Ostseemühle Langenhanshagen. During the working sessions, the following topics were discussed:

• summary of the results of the pilot implementation of the project in selected companies in the summer and fall of 2024,
• updating the handbook for entrepreneurs – both in terms of content and graphic design,
• planning the translation, graphic design, and distribution of the handbook,
• activities within the next phase of the project, including the organization of a meeting in Poland and a conference in Sweden,
• administrative and financial issues related to the further implementation of the project.

 

In addition to the substantive part, the partners had the opportunity to visit Ostseemühle Langenhanshagen, a local producer of cold-pressed oils, which successfully combines traditional production with a tourist experience.

Study visits – good practices from Mecklenburg

 

After the workshop meetings, the participants split into two groups to visit two unique places in the region:

Salzmanufaktur MV – a salt factory offering not only high-quality products, but also educational visits for tourists, relaxation areas, and an interesting history related to the tradition of salt production.

 

LandDelikat – a coffee roaster specializing in the production of lupine coffee, which is an innovative approach to local raw materials and their promotion on the market.

 

During the trip, participants also visited the Meanarhobby distillery, where the production of craft spirits has been enriched with the opportunity to tour, taste, and purchase products. The place is distinguished by its unique aesthetics and attention to detail.

Each of these places showed how to effectively combine craft production with tourism, creating a comprehensive experience for visitors.

 

Good practices from Pomorskie

During discussions on the development of culinary tourism, attention was drawn to the activities undertaken by pomorskie beneficiaries. We were proud to see Podole Wielkie cited as an example of good practice, confirming that well-planned initiatives can effectively contribute to the development of this sector.

 

Summary and plans for the future

On the last day, the participants met at the Haus des Internationalen Tourismus in Rostock, where the partners gave presentations on marketing activities related to the implementation of further elements of the project. They also discussed ways of collecting data on the effects of the pilot implementations, which will be analyzed in the summer of 2025.

 

The next project meeting will take place in June in the Pomorskie Province, where partners will have the opportunity to learn about further examples of successful culinary tourism models and exchange experiences with Polish entrepreneurs.

 

The BASCIL project consistently strives to strengthen the position of the Baltic Sea region as an attractive destination for culinary tourists. Thanks to international cooperation and knowledge exchange, local products and traditions can gain new quality and greater recognition on international markets.

 

The Bascil project is co-financed by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program.

On the first weekend of March, March 1-2, 2025, a unique event took place at the AMBEREXPO Exhibition and Congress Center in Gdańsk – the Regional Flavors Festival. The event attracted lovers of good local cuisine and quality products.

The festival’s rich program included lectures on topics close to the hearts of today’s consumers, such as zero-waste food packaging, the culinary use of edible weeds, and the culinary heritage of the Pomeranian region. Participants had the opportunity not only to listen to inspiring lectures, but also to taste delicious dishes and products.

A key element of the event was the presence of producers associated with the BASCIL project, who presented their unique products, promoting the richness of the regional culinary heritage. Among them were: Halina Rogińska from the Kashubian Agritourism Association “Kościerska Chata,” serving Kashubian ruchanki and cranberries, Podkówka Ser & Wełna, which delighted guests with excellent cheeses from Kashubia, Gorzelnia Podole Wielkie, offering craft spirits, and the masters of craft cold cuts WitAnn.

The stands also offered products from other BASCIL project members, such as Smaki Kaszub with ready-made meals in jars and Pasieka MIODOLANDIA with honey from the Vistula River Delta.

The festival proved how important local food and culinary traditions are for our cuisine and identity. Thanks to such initiatives, BASCIL project producers not only develop their businesses, but also reach an increasingly wider audience, promoting pomorskie flavors on a large scale.

We would like to thank the Marshal’s Office of the Pomorskie Province for the opportunity to participate in the event, and all exhibitors, speakers, and participants for the time spent together.

Activity supporting the partners of the BASCIL project – Innovative Solutions for the Rural Food Production Sector to Diversify into Sustainable Culinary Tourism Services, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Program 2021-2027.

On February 5, 2025, an event was held at the Nad Potokiem restaurant in Gdańsk as part of the BASCIL project entitled “Pomorskie Taste – from idea to implementation.” The meeting was organized by the Pomerania Development Agency S.A. in cooperation with the Pomorskie Tourist Board.

 

The event was attended by project beneficiaries, representatives of Local Tourist Organizations, and Local Action Groups. This was another activity supporting the partners of the BASCIL project – Innovative Solutions for the Rural Food Production Sector to Diversify into Sustainable Culinary Tourism Services, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Program 2021-2027.

 

During Hubert Gonera’s lecture, key changes in tourism trends affecting the growing importance of culinary tourism were discussed. The expert also presented the preferences of the main customer segments and proposals for adapting the region’s culinary offer to their expectations.

 

The second part of the meeting took the form of a workshop, with participants working together to create proposals for culinary tours that could become tourist attractions in Pomerania. The group work resulted in four concepts for culinary tourism offerings.

 

The event was attended by representatives of:

• Local Tourist Organization “ŁEBA – Błękitna Kraina”
• Local Tourist Organization Ziemia Lęborska – Łeba
• Local Tourist Organization KOCIEWIE
• Local Action Group
• Pomeranian Agricultural Advisory Center
• MIODOLANDIA Apiary
• TABUN – Cider from Otomin
• Smaki Kaszub
• WitAnn
• Podole Wielkie
• Makowa Koza – cheeses from the Kociewie cottage
• Statkiewiczówka – farmhouse cheeses
• Chwastowe Pole
• Podkówka Ser & Wełna
• Agroturystyka Gościna

The meeting was an important element of support for the beneficiaries.

On January 5 this year, a meeting was held at the Directorate of the Bory Tucholskie National Park to launch the ReTour project in our region. We are now pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for this project. Participation in the project provides a unique opportunity to create a new, sustainable tourism offer that benefits nature, local communities, businesses, and other entities in our region.

Therefore, we invite interested entities from the tourism industry to participate in ReTour as our local partners. We are looking for companies, organizations, associations, and other entities that want to get involved in developing and testing innovative tourism ideas.

What do we offer?

• Support in developing tourism offers: assistance in creating tourism offers that are beneficial to the region, the environment, the local economy, and the community
• Promotion: a promotional campaign for the offers created, including participation in press visits
• Knowledge: participation in activities (meetings, webinars, workshops, mentoring sessions, etc.) related to regenerative tourism and sustainable development. The training courses, webinars, and mentoring sessions we offer are an invaluable opportunity to gain knowledge and experience. Participating in them will allow you to build unique competencies and acquire valuable tools for implementing sustainable tourism practices.
• Inspiration and learning: learning about the experiences of companies and places from other countries involved in the project.

What do we expect?

• Active participation in the development of tourism offerings: i.e., designing new regenerative tourism offerings based on cooperation with the local community, local entities, and/or related to the protection of local nature.
• Participation in testing and evaluation: this applies to both your own regenerative tourism offer and other offers developed during the project
• Activity in project activities: i.e., participation in workshops, webinars, study trips (for those interested), and other activities.
• Ongoing cooperation: appointment of a person responsible for communication and coordination of activities. Involvement in project activities will allow participants not only to acquire new skills, but also to create high-quality tourism offers that will be eagerly chosen by tourists.

We cordially invite all interested parties, both those who already have partners to cooperate with on their offer and those who are open to cooperation with other entities, to jointly implement activities within the project. We are convinced that this involvement will bring excellent results.

The activities within the project are free of charge and financed by the European Union under the South Baltic Program.

Ready to join?

If you are interested in participating, please let us know by February 17 by emailing: m.muszynska@prot.gda.pl

We encourage you to join us in creating a sustainable, future-oriented model of tourism that has a real impact on the world around us.

Photo: Mateusz Ochocki