pawel-red, Author at Pomorska Regionalna Organizacja Turystyczna

Sustainable and regenerative tourism is not only a global trend, but also a key direction of development for the Pomorskie Region. A new report on the implementation of sustainable tourism standards in the Pomorskie Region shows that we already meet many of the criteria set for European tourist destinations. By combining care for the environment, sustainable management, and cooperation with local communities, Pomorskie is building its image as a responsible and modern travel destination.

What makes Pomorskie stand out?

High level of environmental protection, investments in renewable energy sources and the circular economy
Conscious tourism policy that takes into account the needs of residents and local businesses
Commitment of the tourism sector to innovative sustainable solutions
Good examples from the hotel, catering, and local government sectors that have been successfully implemented

The local government of the Pomorskie Province, together with the Pomorskie Tourist Board and its members, play an important role in developing sustainable tourism strategies at both the regional and European levels. Among other things, PROT acts as the Coordinator of the Tourism Thematic Area within the Baltic Sea Region Strategy, cooperating in this field with the pioneers of these activities in the Baltic countries. We all have one goal in mind: for the Pomeranian Province to become a leader in promoting ecological, responsible, and regenerative tourism, setting new standards for the entire sector. The plans are ambitious, but we believe they have a real chance of success, which will allow us to join the European leaders in tourism in this area.

The report also points to further challenges and recommendations – from monitoring the impact of tourism on the environment, through the certification of sustainable facilities, to the education of tourists and the industry. In the near future, PROT and its partners are planning further activities that will enable the region to meet the requirements set for it in this area.

The report is the result of the “Cooperation-Innovation-Sustainable Tourism” project implemented by the Polish Tourist Organization in cooperation with Regional Tourist Organizations. An important element was a survey, training, and workshops to support the strengthening of the position of various stakeholders in the tourism management system in Poland.

Read the full report and find out how we can work together to develop the tourism of the future!

> Click and download the report

The Pomorskie Tourist Board announces another edition of the competition for PROT members. As in the previous year, the range of tasks to be completed as part of the competition is wide and depends on the needs of our members.

The total prize pool for this year’s competition has increased to PLN 90,000.

The competition aims to support local initiatives undertaken by organizations and institutions affiliated with PROT, working to promote and develop tourism in the Pomorskie region.

Applications for the competition can be submitted until April 10, 2025, using the form available on the dedicated website, where you can also find the detailed rules of participation:

Link to the form – https://konkurs.prot.gda.pl

The person responsible for the competition at the PROT office is Agnieszka Chapońkowska a.chaponkowska@prot.gda.pl; 500-170-430.

Good luck!

Download the Competition Rules

Today, we had the pleasure and honour of representing the Pomorskie region at the B2B Travel News Market Denmark 2025 meetings – our first event of this kind in Denmark! ✈️ It is an excellent opportunity to establish contacts with the Scandinavian tourism industry and promote our region as an attractive travel destination.

Denmark is an important tourist market for Pomorskie, and direct flights from Copenhagen to Gdańsk make travelling to our region quick and comfortable.

We are delighted to have been able to promote Pomorskie as the perfect place for a city break or an extended holiday.

In addition to meetings with Danish agencies and organisers, we also had the opportunity to talk to representatives of the Polish tourism industry. Participation in today’s round table discussions was made possible thanks to the cooperation of the Polish Tourist Organisation, which supports the Polish industry in building relationships in foreign markets. The Polish exhibitors included:

✅ Furnel Travel International Sp. z o.o.

✅ 4 Travel Sp. z o.o.

✅ JAN-POL Incoming Tour Operator Sp. z o.o.

✅ Warsaw Presidential Hotel

Thank you for the inspiring conversations and we look forward to fruitful cooperation! ????????

In the summer of 2024, as part of the Bike Across the Baltic (BAB) project funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme, the Pomorskie Tourist Board conducted a detailed inspection of the EuroVelo 10 route along the Polish Baltic coast. The work was led by Tomasz Legutko, a certified EuroVelo route inspector from the Department of Tourism and Sport of the Marshal’s Office of the Pomorskie Province. The aim of the inspection was to comprehensively assess the accessibility, infrastructure and quality of the cycling experience on this unique and historically rich route. The assessment team included representatives of local authorities, route planning experts and representatives of the tourism industry.

Varied accessibility – from resorts to wilderness areas

The EuroVelo 10 route in the Pomorskie Province offers a unique combination of urban and natural landscapes. However, the accessibility of individual sections varies:

Well-developed coastal towns such as Ustka, Łeba and Władysławowo offer a wide range of services: accommodation, catering, bicycle services, shops and tourist facilities. These are popular resorts with developed infrastructure, ideal for stops during a cycling trip.
Average availability in smaller towns – coastal villages such as Rowy, Poddąbie and Dębki offer basic services (guesthouses, cafés, seasonal shops), but their availability may be limited outside the season. Cyclists planning to stay in these towns should secure accommodation and supplies in advance.
Remote and less developed sections – especially near the Słowiński National Park and in inland areas (e.g. around Smołdzino and Główczyce), access to services is minimal. Although the route runs mainly along the main corridor, cyclists may need to leave the main path to reach a shop or service station. This is particularly difficult in emergency situations.
Rest areas – there are special rest areas along the route, especially along forests and the coast, but they are not evenly distributed. The team of inspectors recommends the construction of additional rest areas with shelters and water refilling facilities, especially in less urbanised sections.

Infrastructure, safety and signage – a mixed picture

Signage and navigation – signage is good in cities and large towns, but rare or invisible in rural and forest areas. Particular attention has been paid to places where the route intersects with local roads – the lack of signage makes orientation difficult, especially for foreign tourists.
Surface quality and safety – the route runs over a variety of surfaces, from asphalt paths to sandy forest tracks. Although variety is an advantage, some sections (e.g. near the dunes) are technically difficult for less experienced cyclists. In particular, the sections near the Słowiński National Park require better visibility and safety measures – inspectors recommend the installation of protective barriers and warning signs.
Seasonal availability – during the summer season, popular resorts such as Ustka and Władysławowo are crowded, which makes it difficult to navigate the cycle route. Inspectors suggest marking out dedicated cycle lanes or better marking shared spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.

Recommendations: how to improve the accessibility of EuroVelo 10?

The audit resulted in a set of recommendations that could significantly improve the experience of cyclists and support the development of cycle tourism in the region:

Improved signage in less developed sections – more frequent and more visible signs in Polish and English will facilitate orientation and increase safety.
More rest areas – new rest areas with access to water and basic bicycle tools should be created, especially on routes far from buildings.
Continuation of infrastructure development – completing the missing sections, including around the Słowiński National Park, will allow EuroVelo standards to be achieved along the entire length of the route.
Seasonal traffic management – cooperation with local authorities to improve traffic flow during the season (e.g. by designating special cycle lanes) will help reduce congestion and increase safety.

Pomorskie – leader in cycling tourism on the Baltic coast

The inspection report is an important step towards the further development of EuroVelo 10 in the Pomeranian region. This route showcases the full range of the Baltic Sea landscape, from bustling resorts to quiet forest paths. With the recommended improvements, Pomerania could become one of Europe’s leading cycling regions, attracting both local enthusiasts and tourists from abroad.

On 15 January 2025, a meeting inaugurating the ReTour project was held at the headquarters of the Bory Tucholskie National Park Directorate in Chociński Młyn. The event brought together representatives of local organisations, tourism companies and other entities interested in developing responsible tourism.

Regenerative tourism – inspiring examples from around the world

The first part of the meeting was devoted to an introduction to the idea of regenerative tourism. Participants had the opportunity to see inspiring examples from around the world that showed how tourism can support local communities and contribute to environmental regeneration. The presentation also explained the differences between regenerative and sustainable tourism, which aroused great interest among the participants.

ReTour project – objectives and activities

The next section discussed the details of the ReTour project. Its main objectives and planned activities, which are expected to have a positive impact on the region’s development, were presented. Particular attention was paid to opportunities for cooperation with local partners.

A lunch break, combined with a short walk around the Nature Education Centre of the Bory Tucholskie National Park, provided an ideal opportunity for networking and exchanging ideas.

Workshops and discussions – involvement of local partners

The last part of the meeting took the form of workshops during which participants analysed the possibilities of getting involved in the project. Discussions focused, among other things, on local places that could benefit from the implementation of regenerative tourism. Participants asked questions, shared their insights and worked together to find solutions that could benefit both the region and local communities.

Invitation to cooperate

We would like to thank all participants for their presence and active contribution to this important event! We look forward to further cooperation and joint activities for the development of regenerative tourism in the Tuchola Forest.

Fot. Piotr Książek

For all those tired of the pace of life and the speed of events, today we have a moment to catch our breath. We are sharing one of the latest episodes of the popular Dutch programme ‘Rail Away’, which is dedicated to a picturesque train journey from Gdańsk to Malbork and on to Olsztyn. ????️

This unique material shows the beauty of our region: from historical monuments, such as Artus Court in Gdańsk or Malbork Castle ????, to the charming landscapes along the Vistula and Nogat rivers, all the way to the Warmian lakes ????????. The entire episode is a real leisurely journey that allows viewers to immerse themselves in the peaceful atmosphere of Pomorskie and discover the charms of the region at their own pace. ????

We are proud that, in cooperation with Poolse Organisatie voor Toerisme in Amsterdam, we were able to meet the logistical challenges of filming at railway stations and on railway tracks. PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, POLREGIO – thank you!

The result? The programme was watched by 347,000 viewers on Dutch television, and an additional 6,000 people watched the episode online in the first week after its premiere! ????

We invite you to watch this inspiring episode and discover that travelling by rail through Pomorskie is much more than just a journey – it is a relaxing experience that will stay in your memory.

???? Link to the episode: Rail Away | NPO Start

BThe Baltic Cycle Route is not only a route full of beautiful views – it is also a space that benefits not only cyclists, but also local businesses. In the latest issue of the eFEkty newsletter, we describe how the Baltic

Biking Upgrade project is helping to transform this route into an even more tourist- and business-friendly place.

Learn about the international cooperation involving organisations from Poland, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania and Sweden. Find out what specific benefits the project brings to cycle tourists – from secure parking and overnight accommodation to improved infrastructure. Read also how local businesses can take advantage of the growing popularity of cycle tourism to develop their businesses.

In this article, you will find answers to the following questions:

How does the development of the Baltic Cycle Route support local businesses?
Why is EuroVelo 10 more than just a cycle route?
How are international projects changing tourism
in the Baltic Sea region?

We encourage you to read the full text in the eFEkty newsletter and discover how bicycle wheels are driving economic and tourism development in the region.

Read the article and learn more!

https://www.funduszeeuropejskie.gov.pl/strony/wiadomosci/czas-na-nowe-efekty/

The Department of Tourism and Sport has prepared another report on the ‘Mood of the pomorskie tourism industry’ for the period April-September 2024.

The report describes the situation of pomorskie tourism entrepreneurs, contains comparative conclusions with previous editions, and also addresses issues such as cultural trails and the Pomorskie.travel portal.

We invite you to read this interesting publication. Its content and related infographics can be found at: https://dt.pomorskie.eu/2024/12/20/raport-z-badan-nastroje-pomorskiej-branzy-turystycznej-04-2024-09-2024/

The next survey will cover the period from October 2024 to March 2025.

Baltic Biking UPGRADE (BBU) is a project co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027, which supports the development of cycle tourism along the southern part of EuroVelo 10 – the Baltic Cycle Route. Its aim is to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create cyclist-friendly services and develop attractive tourism products.

As part of the project, we invite tour operators from Pomerania who specialise in organising cycling tours along EuroVelo 10 to participate in a study visit to Sweden. During this visit, participants will have the opportunity to meet tour operators operating in Skåne and on the Danish islands of Lolland and Falster. The aim of the event is to establish contacts, exchange experiences and develop international cooperation in the field of cycling tourism.

Why is it worth participating?

✅ You will learn about proven practices in the organisation of cycle tourism,

✅ You will establish partnerships with tour operators from Scandinavia,

✅ You will develop attractive international tourist offers for cyclists.

???? Date of visit: 26-27 March 2025

???? Location: Skåne, Sweden

???? Applications must be submitted by 28 February 2025 to m.rzucidlo@prot.gda.pl.

⚠️ Limited number of places – we will contact you to confirm your participation.

Join Baltic Biking UPGRADE and develop your cycling tourism offer!