Podlaskie Voivodeship Revives Tourist Voucher Program

The Podlaskie Voivodeship has reactivated its tourist voucher program, which previously functioned nationwide from 2020 to 2023. This initiative aims to support local tourism businesses that have suffered due to the ongoing migration crisis at the border with Belarus since 2021 and earlier restrictions resulting from the pandemic.

The Podlaska Regional Tourism Organization (PROT) is managing the program, which allows tourism businesses to register their accommodation facilities. The registration period ended on April 11, 2025, with verification of the registered facilities concluding a week later. Out of nearly 600 registered facilities, 567 passed the verification process.

The registered facilities are categorized into three types based on the level of financial support they offer. Type 1 includes campsites, hostels, and agritourism accommodations, with 268 registrations, and offers a voucher worth 200 PLN. Type 2 encompasses one and two-star hotels, motels, and guesthouses, with 241 registrations, offering a voucher of 300 PLN. Type 3 consists of three to five-star hotels, with 36 registrations, providing a voucher worth 400 PLN.

Tourists can use the voucher when they book a minimum of two overnight stays, and it is specifically intended for individuals from outside the Podlaskie Voivodeship. The Podlaski Tourist Voucher was officially launched on April 20, 2025, and the response was overwhelming. On the very first day, applications for co-financing accommodation in the Podlaskie Voivodeship for April and May were closed, with 350,000 PLN already reserved.

More than 1,000 individuals applied for the vouchers, with the majority coming from the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, accounting for 40% of the applications. Katarzyna Sadowska, Director of the Tourism Office at the Marshal's Office, expressed her surprise at the scale of interest, stating, "It exceeded our expectations." The total value of the first pool of vouchers was 350,000 PLN, and some have already been activated by tourists.

The next round of applications for the Podlaski Tourist Voucher will commence on June 1, 2025, allowing tourists to generate vouchers for stays from June to December 2025. This second round will have a total co-financing value of 700,000 PLN, as authorities in the Podlaskie Voivodeship have allocated 2 million PLN from the budget for the tourist voucher program in 2025, with the possibility of increasing this amount depending on interest.

The amount of financial support tourists can receive through the Podlaski Tourist Voucher depends on the standard of accommodation they choose. For campsites, hostels, and agritourism, the subsidy is 200 PLN; for one and two-star hotels, motels, and guesthouses, it is 300 PLN; and for three to five-star hotels, it is 400 PLN. The vouchers are generated electronically and are tied to the phone number provided in the application.

To obtain a Podlaski Tourist Voucher, adult tourists residing in Poland outside the Podlaskie Voivodeship must apply for accommodation subsidies. They must reserve a stay for at least two nights at one of the 567 qualified facilities. The vouchers can be generated in two phases: from April 20 to May 31, 2025, for stays in April and May, and from June 1 to December 31, 2025, for stays during that latter period.

Each individual can generate only one voucher, which can be used for a single reservation, regardless of the number of people staying. To use the voucher, tourists must fill out an online application form available at www.podlaskibonturystyczny.pl. The program is designed not only to support the tourism sector but also to counteract the adverse effects of the ongoing migration crisis at the border with Belarus, which has been impacting the region since 2021.

As the interest in the Podlaski Tourist Voucher program continues to grow, the local government is keen to highlight the region's safety and attractiveness as a tourist destination. The program serves as a vital lifeline for local tourism businesses and aims to stimulate economic activity in the area.

The Podlaskie Voivodeship is known for its unique attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Białowieża National Park and picturesque villages like Trześcianka, Soce, and Puchły, which are part of the Open Windows Land. The region also boasts a scientifically confirmed microclimate in the town of Supraśl, making it an appealing destination for health-conscious travelers.

Tourists are encouraged to explore the longest bicycle trail in the region, the Podlaski Bocian Trail, which showcases the natural and cultural heritage of Podlasie. Additionally, there are numerous Nordic walking trails available in Hajnówka and its surroundings, ranging from 3 km to 21 km in length. With the upcoming Ethno Festival in Czeremcha, one of the best folk events in Poland, the region promises a rich cultural experience for visitors.

In summary, the Podlaski Tourist Voucher program represents an innovative approach to revitalizing the local tourism industry while ensuring that Podlasie is recognized as a safe and attractive destination for tourists. As the region continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and the migration crisis, initiatives like this are essential for fostering economic growth and promoting the unique offerings of Podlasie.