Poland is becoming too expensive?

[Jaga]

I just found a discussion in Polish newspaper that we have less foreign tourists in Poland than before. Some cities suffer more than others. Krakow, my hometown, became very affected by this. There is 20% less tourists this year. The cheap trips for English bachelors finished. Maybe this is a good sign. But regular tourists are also complaing.

Krakow airport became too expensive so there are less flights there. Krakow's old town is too expensive and dirty, there are no good and clean restrooms. Beer is expensive and the selection is limited. Hotels are also expensive. This is also partly due to the strong Polish currency.

What is the most astounding - the tickets to the museums are very expensive up to 50-60 zloty (25-30 USD). These prices are high even compared to Italy and oyjer Western European countries.

Museums should always have the educational value rather. I am very surrpised.

[Jaga]

here is the original article:

W Krakowie jest drogo i brudno
miasta.gazeta.pl/krakow/1,44425,5602851,W_Krakowie_jest_drogo_i_brudno.html

[Pawian]

Aug 24, 2008 23:08:37 GMT -7 Jaga said:

I just found a discussion in Polish newspaper that we have less foreign tourists in Poland than before. Some cities suffer more than others. Krakow, my hometown, became very affected by this. There is 20% less tourists this year. The cheap trips for English bachelors finished. Maybe this is a good sign. But regular tourists are also complaing.

Krakow airport became too expensive so there are less flights there. Krakow's old town is too expensive and dirty, there are no good and clean restrooms. Beer is expensive and the selection is limited. Hotels are also expensive. This is also partly due to the strong Polish currency.

What is the most astounding - the tickets to the museums are very expensive up to 50-60 zloty (25-30 USD). These prices are high even compared to Italy and oyjer Western European countries.

Museums should always have the educational value rather. I am very surrpised.

A few pieces of explanation.

The cause of the problem is solely strong Polish currency. Last year, when dollar cost about 3 zlotys and British pound about 6, foreign tourists flocked to Krakow. Today these times are gone.

As for dirt, Krakow has always been dirty due to pollution which is not removed by winds because the city is located in the valley surrounded by hills from all sides. Renovated buildings get greyish after a year or two.

As for incredible prices to museums, it is not true. Prices are much lower, from 5 to 15 zlotys, and there is always a free day to most museums in Krakow.

As for narrow selection of beer, I cannot believe it either. In a free market economy, when there is demand, there is also supply. From my observances, you can buy all European kinds of beer.

Well, if a foreigner demands some exotic banana beer, it is natural they might run into problems to get it because bananas don`t grow in Krakow. Ahh, and there is no Budweiser...

[Jaga]

Pawian,

thanks for taking part in the discussion. I do not believe that it is only the strong Polish currency. The aricles talks about the fact that Krakow's hotels are way too expensive. Krakow's caffeterias are much more expensive than Wroclaw. Wroclaw has the same currency as Krakow, so why?

Krakow does not have nice restrooms in the center open 24 hours. Krakow is dirty.
Yes, I know that Krakow is in the valley but.... does it mean that it cannot be cleaner? Think about it. Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert, wind, sands are there a regular thing, still nobody complains that Las Vegas is dirty?

I am pretty sure that it could be possible with some effort with the city government to clean up Krakow and made it more accessible to the public.

I am glad if the museum tickets are not that pricey. I wonder why in the forum people told that tickes are 50-60 zloty in Wawel castle and in Sukiennice.

But I remember how unhappy I was to see that you have to pay to see Mariacki's Church altar

[Pawian]

Aug 25, 2008 16:00:52 GMT -7 Jaga said:

Pawian
I do not believe that it is only the strong Polish currency. The aricles talks about the fact that Krakow's hotels are way too expensive.

With American dollar worth only 2 zlotys, everything is expensive.

Wroclaw has the same currency as Krakow, so why?
Krakow's caffeterias are much more expensive than Wroclaw.

The article provides only one opinion of a certain guy who claims that beer is cheaper in Wrocław. It is too little to say that Krakow is much more expensive than Wrocław.

Krakow does not have nice restrooms in the center open 24 hours.

Hmm, I don`t know much about it. But I think it is the problem of all cities in Poland, not only Krakow. We were in Warsaw this summer. Where do you think my sons took a pee while in the center? hahahah Behind big garbage containers in the backyard....

Warsaw is very expensive, btw. The most expensive place we have visited this year...

Yes, I know that Krakow is in the valley but.... does it mean that it cannot be cleaner?

It cannot be cleaner because the valley limits air circulation and all pollution stays in and over the city instead of being blown away by wind.

Think about it. Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert, wind, sands are there a regular thing, still nobody complains that Las Vegas is dirty?I am pretty sure that it could be possible with some effort with the city government to clean up Krakow and made it more accessible to the public.

This comparison is a good joke. ;D ;D ;D

I assure you, when Krakow has Las Vegas funds (total Las Vegas budget amounts to 1.5 billion $ while Krakow 500 million with twice as much population as Vegas) , it will be the cleanest city in Poland. People will paint their houses every week to make them look clean because they will be so rich.

But even Vegas is running short of finance. Read this article
www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?s=8097577

It also mentions cuts on cleaning projects:

That means services still available will take longer to get. Graffiti removal response time will increase from 24 hours to 72 hours. Business license enforcement will be delayed. There will be no support for neighborhood clean up programs.

It’ll take longer for graffiti to be cleaned up and for city workers to replace damaged street signs. Hours at several city pools will be cut, local parks and trails won’t be as well maintained and expansion of the city jail will be delayed.
www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/31/economic-chill-freezes-vegas-budget/

I am glad if the museum tickets are not that pricey. I wonder why in the forum people told that tickes are 50-60 zloty in Wawel castle and in Sukiennice.

They were wrong in case of Sukiennice.

The National Museum in Sukiennice
www.bold.nazwa.pl/muzeum/index.php?strona=dla%20zwiedzajacych

Adult ticket - 8 zl = 4$
Reduced - 6 zl = 3$
Free visit - Sunday.


Wawel Castle is quite expensive because it is a big place and they charge seperately for the entrance to different parts of the castle. Royal Chambers, Royal Bedrooms, Armoury, Treasure Rooms, etc have seperate tickets and together they do cost 50-60 zlotys.

krakow.zaprasza.net/muzea/wawel.html

But Wawel is an exception....together with Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Other museums are much cheaper.

But I remember how unhappy I was to see that you have to pay to see Mariacki's Church altar

Let`s not forget that St. Mary`s Cathedral where the altar is exhibited is a working church, maintained from church funds. People go there to pray. I think is it fair to collect payment from tourists, the money can be spent on renovation and conservation.

You can still see the altar from a certain distance for free.