Buried is preparing for a breakthrough in the approach to tourism. Since the winter period 2025/2026 is set to launch the long-pronounced Tourist Card program, which, after years of announcements, yet enters into force. The fresh strategy will combine the local fee work with real benefits for visitors. Tourists can anticipate discounts, free public transport and access to tourist information in modern form.
Multiannual announcements yet become reality
Idea of implementation Tourist cards in Zakopane it appeared many years ago, but only now – during the word of the fresh mayor – managed to scope an agreement between the city authorities, the tourist manufacture and the owners of accommodation facilities. How They study Radio Zet and Virtual Poland, president of the Tourism and Promotion Committee of the City Council of Zakopane, Timothy Frost, announced the authoritative agenda for the introduction of the program.
— “We want tourists to feel welcome in Zakopane. That the city faces them” “ Frost points out. — “We want their stay to be more comfortable, and paying the local fee has a real benefit”.
What does the Tourist Card offer?
The fresh initiative in Zakopane is comprehensive and systemic. The main assumptions are:
- Discounts on local tourist attractions (museums, amusement parks, thermal pools)
- Free public transport in Zakopane
- Access to information on events and tourist routes
- Possibility to usage the travel panel – the application will show, among others, cycling routes, hiking trails, parking areas or accommodation facilities
At the start benefits will be valid for 1 day, however, the city plans to gradually extend them to the full tourist stay.
Integration with local charge
One of the most crucial changes will be automatic connection of Tourist Card to local fee. Tourists They won't be able to buy it themselves.. They will receive it only as part of the reporting process – from the owner of the accommodation facilitywhere they make reservations.
In practice, this will mean that the mandatory local charge, which has so far only been an additional cost, will become investment in real benefits for visitors. The card will be available:
- in digital form (QR code in mobile application)
- physical version (plastic card)
The strategy is intended to facilitate the collection of a local fee, with which the city had problems for years – any accommodation facilities avoided its removal and tourists had no benefits.
Buried focuses on modernity and convenience
According to the portal newsnadzis.pl, Tourist Card is besides expected to be a tool for building a affirmative city image. Zakopane wants to encourage a more informed and organized visit:
- The application includes, among others, Zakopane kind trails, information on cultural events, calendar of events, promotions for local products and gastronomy.
- Integration with paid parking system, which can improve the fluidity of tourist traffic and reduce congestion.
No more "empty" tourist fee?
The introduction of the Tourist Card is besides a consequence to the criticism of the current collection strategy of the alleged local fee. To date, it has only been an additional cost for the tourist, which did not translate into direct benefits. Now it is to change – the city convinces that The tourist will get something in return.
This is an crucial step towards a more friendly and fair tourism policy. Buried gives a signal that not only expects gross from visitors, but besides wants to offer them added value.
When does the show start?
If everything goes as planned, The Tourist Card will apply at the beginning of the winter period 2025/2026, i.e. most likely in December 2025. However, the deadline will depend on the completion of legislative and implementation work, which, as the local authorities point out, are now advanced.
A Future Perspective
Implementation of the Tourist Card is only the first step. If the programme is successful, it can become a model for another mountain towns in Poland. Already today, akin systems be in Karpacz, Wisla or Świeradów-Zdrój. Buried, as tourist capital of Poland, may not only join this group, but besides set a fresh standard of tourist service.
More here:
Zakopane introduces Tourist Card: Revolution for visitors of the Tatras
