Summer reset is taking on a new meaning. What do Poles’ holiday plans look like this year?
Active leisure, a search for savings, and a desire for new experiences – this is the picture of this year’s summer holidays that emerges from the results of the MultiSport Programme’s survey. 58% of Poles want to pack employee benefits that support a healthy lifestyle so they can use them while on holiday as well.
34% of Poles plan to spend their holidays within the country. The majority of them (47%) will head to the Polish seaside, 32% to the mountains, and 16% to Masuria. 19% will choose the countryside or a location far removed from civilisation, while 18% will opt for a city break. Among the trips abroad planned by 26% of Poles the ranking of the most popular destinations is as follows: Spain (20%), Italy (17%), Croatia (13%), Greece (12%), and Turkey (11%). The top ten also includes Egypt, Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany.
For how long?
Both domestic and international trips will most frequently last between 7 and 10 days (planned by 32% and 50% of respondents, respectively). 16% of respondents will opt for a longer domestic holiday of up to two weeks, while 20% will choose to go abroad.
The model of travel is changing. Sports tourism is gaining popularity.
According to TripAdvisor, “sweat-jetting” – travel centred around sports experiences – is one of the fastest-growing travel trends, including for this year’s holiday season. The international hotel group, Accor, recorded a 50% increase in inquiries regarding “sports-focused holidays” as early as last year. The authors of the “Future of Wellness” study by McKinsey & Company also identify a boom in “fitness travel.” Trips to marathons, so-called bootcamps, or yoga retreats are just a few examples of leisure activities organised around a specific discipline. Another reflection of this trend is the extensive network of record-breaking cycling routes, allowing visitors to explore a given region on two wheels. The World Economic Forum’s “Sports for People and Planet” report indicates that sports tourism is currently the fastest-growing segment of tourism globally.
– It is evident that when we travel, we seek new experiences, including those related to sports. This is an important feature for Poles as well – 73% of them will spend this year’s holiday actively. The vast majority believe that this form of leisure allows them to better relieve stress and take a break from work, while providing a sense of satisfaction and the feeling that their time has been well spent. Sports during a holiday can serve as either the main theme or a source of variety that we turn to spontaneously. In that case, the variation and immediate availability of attractions are what matter most. This is confirmed by an analysis of Polish MultiSport Programme users’ visits abroad. Since the introduction of international card acceptance, we have observed a steady rise in interest in visiting facilities outside the country – says Kinga Kołodziej, Customer Relations Director at Benefit Systems. She also adds that the MultiSport card travels with users during domestic trips, providing access to seasonal offerings as well.
– We are currently at a point where the concept of a “holiday reset” is taking on a new meaning, specifically by incorporating physical activity into our travels – emphasises Kinga Kołodziej.
According to a MultiSport survey, 69% of Poles believe that engaging in sports is a good way to get to know another country, while 58% want to try out sports activities characteristic of a specific region or country during their holiday.
Savings are welcome
One in four Poles plans to spend between PLN 3,000 and 5,000 on their holiday. A slightly smaller percentage (21%) expects to spend between PLN 5,000 and PLN 7,500, while 19% plan to spend between PLN 7,501 and PLN 10,000. The same percentage of respondents plan to spend no more than PLN 3,000. While responses regarding holiday budgets vary, we share a willingness to cut the costs of holiday activities: 70% of Poles look for ways to do so. An attractive price is the feature most frequently mentioned (67%) when choosing an activity.
– Non-financial benefits are one of the solutions that allow for an active use of holiday time on favourable terms: 58% of Poles expect them to be available during their holidays. During the summer season, MultiSport cardholders eagerly take advantage of the opportunities the card offers to explore new sports disciplines or complement their holiday plans. Those spending time by the water opt for kayaks, pedal boats, and SUP boards, or visit wake parks. For tourists visiting mountain regions, cable cars and the opportunity to use special off-road cycling trails are undoubtedly major attractions. Those seeking a greater thrill can find it at the go-kart track, in an amusement park, a water park, or even by bungee jumping. As for those wishing to relax, they can slow down the pace at thermal baths, including those in the Czech Republic and Slovakia – notes Kinga Kołodziej.
Barbara Jastrzębska
About the survey: The survey, commissioned by the MultiSport brand, was conducted on a representative random sample of 1,090 Poles aged 18+. The survey was conducted using the CAWI method on the nationwide Ariadna research panel between 27 and 30 March.
Benefit Systems has been a leader in the Polish non-financial benefits market for over 20 years and one of the most important players in the fitness industry in the region. For years, the company has been setting market development directions, creating modern solutions that support employee wellbeing and promote an active lifestyle. Benefit Systems’ flagship product is the MultiSport Programme – the most recognizable and most frequently chosen sports programme in Poland, providing access to thousands of sports and recreational facilities. The company’s strong portfolio is complemented by the MyBenefit cafeteria platform and the comprehensive Multi.Life wellbeing programme, creating a unique ecosystem of benefits for companies that care about their employees. Benefit Systems is also dynamically expanding its presence abroad. The company’s sports offer is available in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Turkey, which strengthens its position as one of the key providers of wellbeing services in Central and Eastern Europe. The group is also a major operator of fitness clubs in six markets, and in Poland it is responsible for well-known networks, including Fabryka Formy, FitFabric, Fitness Academy, My Fitness Place and Zdrofit. Benefit Systems’ mission is to inspire physical activity and care for health at every stage of life. That’s why the company runs numerous educational and health-promoting initiatives for children, adults, and seniors, including through the MultiSport Foundation. Its actions confirm that the role of a leader is not only about scale, but also about real social influence. Since 2018, Benefit Systems has been a member of the prestigious B Corp community, which brings together companies that adhere to the highest standards of responsibility and social involvement in their business. More information at benefitsystems.pl/en and biuroprasowe.benefitsystems.pl/releases/English.
