Although it may seem that the tourist season in West Pomeranian Voivodeship in October might have been long since dormant, this year is a completely different story. Perfect weather conditions made September 2023 the best September in many years, and there was no shortage of tourists in the biggest resorts and the more secluded places in Western Pomerania. Entrepreneurs have no doubt that this has been the best season since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In September, hotel occupancy rates reached even 90%. “The majority are city-break tourists”
– September saved the summer season. Entrepreneurs are direct in saying that occupancy in September in many hotels and guesthouses was higher than in June. What’s more, October is also predicted to break records, says Hanna Mojsiuk, President of the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin.
It’s hard to disagree with the fact that Poland hasn’t seen such a hot September in years. Many days saw temperatures reaching even 30 degrees Celsius, causing tourists to decide on trips to the seaside or even spontaneous, longer trips.
– Międzyzdroje, Kołobrzeg, Świnoujście, Rewal. There was no shortage of tourists in September, and hoteliers say that beautiful weather allowed for an extension of the season. The catering industry, as well as seaside trade and services, also had a chance to breathe. There were seasons when life by the sea faded after the first weekend of September, and now we have enormous occupancy rates, which on some weekends in specific hotels reached even 90%. It is a great joy for West Pomeranian tourism, which could finally offset the losses caused by, for example, terrible weather in August or controversies related to the infamous “receipts of terror” that discouraged Polish tourists from resting by the Baltic Sea, says Hanna Mojsiuk, President of the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin.
– In September by the sea, city-break tourists dominate, that is, those who want to spend a sunny weekend by the Baltic Sea – adds President Hanna Mojsiuk.
A record-breaking September in years and good prospects for October
Entrepreneurs admit that there hasn’t been such a good September in years. The major reason is largely due to the weather. Tourists are attracted by the friendly atmosphere and… lower prices.
– In September it is always cheaper than at the height of the season, but this year it was not only cheaper but also nicer, because the weather was far more favorable than in July or August. Just a week ago, the sea in Darłowo was 20 degrees Celsius, and tourists swam without hesitation. We can finally talk about a good tourist season in Western Pomerania, admits Andrzej Mielcarek, President of the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Koszalin.
Magdalena Ziętek from the Dune Beach Resort adds that there was also no lack of foreign tourists.
– The Germans were delighted with the weather in September, so there were many reservations. Also, the Czechs and, of course, Poles, who were more in Międzyzdroje in September than in June, and maybe even than in August. We improved September year on year by over 120% in terms of attendance, adds Magdalena Ziętek.
October is also predicted to break records.
– Those who do not decide to reserve a hotel room usually choose apartments for rent. Their occupancy in September was huge, and in October it is not at all worse. This is an offer for people who can afford, for example, to work remotely from a seaside resort or for those who are interested in the Baltic Sea off-season. The number of reservations is enormous, which keeps price proposals for October not much lower than for the holiday season. Entrepreneurs are not yet in the “post-season” mode, adds real estate market expert Mirosław Król.
