Salah Soliman
Zakopane and the magnificent Polish resort of Bukowina are located in the Tatra Mountains region, close to the Slovakian border, approximately two hours south of the renowned city of Krakow. This area is among the most beautiful natural regions in Europe. The Tatra Mountains surrounding the city, with their autumn-colored trees, create an exceptionally picturesque scene.
Every season is suitable for visiting Zakopane, but the primary tourist season is during winter due to the interest in ice skating in the Tatra Mountains. Ski trails are spread across the beautiful and enjoyable mountain terrains.
Zakopane boasts a unique architectural style that relies on constructing houses and restaurants from tree trunks, providing a distinctive and cozy atmosphere. It reflects the culture of the Tatra Mountain residents, known as “Highlanders” or “Górale” in Polish. You can get an idea of the styles and patterns of these houses at the “Koscieliska” Museum. Additionally, the Tatra Museum houses many historical artifacts and artworks that showcase the rich history of the region.
During winter, Zakopane becomes Poland’s premier winter resort for ice skating. It is equipped with a large hospital specializing in various orthopedic surgeries, ensuring prompt medical attention in case of emergencies.
The Tatra Mountains in Zakopane offer some of the most beautiful natural vistas. There’s the popular mountain called “Giewont,” and we were fortunate to visit the peak of “Kasprowy Wierch.” We reached it via a cable car with two stations, and we found ourselves atop the mountain at an altitude of 2,000 meters. It’s one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Zakopane. We felt it was a beautiful and unique moment when we enjoyed Arabic coffee at the mountain’s peak with our colleagues. We also relished strolling around the peak and saw the border line that separates Slovakia and Poland.
Tourism in the area surrounding the Tatra Mountains, including Zakopane, faced challenges after the pandemic. Polish domestic tourism decreased, and Russian and Belarusian tourists, who typically visited the region, dwindled due to the war and travel restrictions. Consequently, new visitors, particularly Arab tourists from the Gulf, began to explore Zakopane.
Arab tourism is relatively new to this region, and the Polish tourism management has recognized the importance of attracting Arab tourists. They have initiated efforts to promote the region more actively to this emerging audience.
Zakopane is expected to continue to attract Arab tourists, thanks to its stunning natural beauty and reasonable prices. It offers a unique blend of natural wonders and modern amenities, making it an exceptional destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience.
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The fame of Zakopane and the surrounding resorts, such as “Nowa Huta,” where we spent several days, was initially spread through word of mouth and recommendations from those who had visited before. Therefore, Arab tourists learned about them through recommendations from fellow travelers. Zakopane has indeed become a preferred destination for the wealthy from the Middle East, known for its extreme privacy. Now, with its growing reputation, it also welcomes tourists from the middle class, as its prices are reasonable and much cheaper than Munich, Switzerland, and Austria.
The food options in Zakopane are diverse and excellent, and halal food has also found its way into the region. Even our driver, who took us to the hotel, mentioned that there are restaurants that offer menus in Arabic and even gave me a copy. However, there is still a shortage of halal meat prepared according to Islamic methods.
Arab tourists in Zakopane prefer to stay for two to three weeks, often choosing high-end apartments or hotels. The tourism authorities hope that Arabs will fill the gap left by guests from Belarus, Russia, and even Poland, who have decreased their visits due to the recent global circumstances.
The luxury spa resorts in the area are a highlight. I was personally impressed with the “Bukovina” resort, located about a 40-minute drive from Zakopane. It is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Krakow, one of the most beautiful Polish cities, which also has the nearest airport to Zakopane. This offers Arab tourists the opportunity to stay in Krakow for several days to do some shopping, as it is famous for its large shopping centers.
Riding horse-drawn carriages is a popular hobby among Arab tourists at the foot of the high Tatras. But walking long distances in the mountains is also cherished. Shopping trips on Krupowki Street, or the famous Zakopane promenade, especially in the summer, are very popular among them. It is beloved by the Arabs because it is very green and much cooler than their home countries.
In all the sale locations around the city, you will find the traditional Polish smoked sheep’s cheese called “Oscypek.” It is sold everywhere in Zakopane, and they take great pride in it.
Traditional Polish caramel sweets (“Krówki”) have been sold like hotcakes since Arab tourists discovered Zakopane. However, they particularly favor Polish honey, which is served on natural wax slabs during breakfast in luxury hotels. Since sweets have deep roots in Arab culture, they receive a lot of attention from Arab tourists.
The spa resorts in Poland date back to the 13th century and are known for their thermal baths, the use of mineral waters in treatments, thermal baths with mineral waters, special mud treatments, spa treatments, energy charging, and body and mind rejuvenation. The cost of a full 14-day stay at a spa facility in Poland ranges from around 2000-3500 Polish Zloty, which is approximately 750 dollars. This includes a medical consultation, medical support during the stay, and care by physical therapists. The duration of the stay includes a range of daily medical treatments tailored to your medical needs (such as salt baths, mud baths, physical therapy, and mineral water treatment). The food is prepared under the supervision of nutrition specialists.
After inviting the Arab journalists, we felt that there is a change in Poland’s tourism policy. Poland is now more inclined to intensive promotion after previously having a more subtle approach to tourism. According to preliminary estimates by the Polish Tourism Authority, Arab tourists are currently the largest group of foreign tourists in the region. Nearly every second foreign guest in Zakopane comes from the Arab Peninsula.
Airlines have kept pace with the growing popularity of Poland as a tourist destination. In response to the growing interest from the Middle East, flydubai began operating flights between Krakow and the United Arab Emirates in 2018. The average flight price is about 350 euros. There is also Wizz Air, which flies from Abu Dhabi, with similar pricing of around 300 dollars.
