All socially excluded people, e.g. due to material criteria, disability or old age, should be actively included in the opportunity to take advantage of recreation and leisure. This is not only the task of social organisations, but also a very important task of the state, so that this natural need for rest and recreation, regeneration of physical and mental strength in the bosom of nature, getting to know other cultures, other regions - can be realised for absolutely everyone,

 - said Deputy Minister Andrzej Gut-Mostowy. And referring to this year's UNWTO slogan he added:

The development of the idea of social tourism must be based on respect for the principles of sustainable development and in cooperation with local government units, entrepreneurs and business environment institutions.

The conference discussed topics related to the participation in tourism of those social groups that may have limited access to it. The discussion focused, among other things, on

• support for families with children and shaping pro-tourist attitudes among children and young people,
• The role of the Polish Tourist Voucher programme in social tourism,
• inclusion in tourist activity of persons with disabilities as part of projects implemented by non-governmental organisations - examples of good practice;
• senior tourism, also called silver tourism - a subject particularly important in the context of demographic changes and the ageing of society.

Social tourism projects are a response to the need and right to leisure. They draw examples from initiatives already being developed by public and private organisations. Social tourism is undoubtedly also an instrument for regional development.

Report on the Polish Tourism Voucher

The report presented by the POT takes into account not only data from the ZUS system such as activation and use of vouchers, but is a broad summary of activities to date in terms of state social policy, support for entrepreneurs, development and education.

The tourism voucher has been a success, as evidenced by the record use of this form of support by families with children during the holidays. This programme has an important social activation role. The voucher has often enabled large families to take their first ever holiday together. 7 million children were covered by the benefit, including 165,000 children with disabilities who were supported with the additional amount of PLN 500.

- noted Deputy Minister Gut-Mostowy.

At the same time, the document presents the results of a survey of entrepreneurs accepting tourist voucher payments. Over 85% of companies surveyed by the Polish Tourist Organisation positively assess the programme, and 99% would like it to continue.

Awards for persons of merit for tourism

Deputy Minister Andrzej Gut-Mostowy presented distinctions to activists whose work, including social work, contributes to the development of tourism in Poland. This is a particularly honourable distinction, established by a decree of the Council of Ministers. The distinctions were awarded to:

• Mariola Olejniczak - head of the Museum Education Department at the Museum of the First Piasts in Lednica; author of many publications on adapting the tourist offer to the needs of people with disabilities.
• Marlena Rogowska - Director of the West Pomeranian Local Tourist Organisation Office. She is active in promoting tourism in Western Masuria, including making tourist attractions accessible to deaf people.
• Piotr Dwurnik - President of the Grand Hotel in Kielce, Secretary of the Regional Tourist Organization of the Świętokrzyskie Province. He is also the initiator of many pro-ecological projects in the hotel industry.
• Andrzej Kraśnicki - President of the Polish Olympic Committee. Actively involved in promoting tourism in Poland through sports events; promoter of active tourism.
• Paweł Dąbrowski - Mayor of Urzędów, co-organizer of family bicycle rallies and horse riding events. Undertakes activities to exploit and promote the tourist assets of Urzędów and its surroundings.
• Wojciech Żukowski - Mayor of Tomaszów Lubelski, particularly distinguished for the creation and promotion of the Roztocze Biosphere Reserve; President of the Roztocze Euroregion Association.
• Florian Kapica - Chairman of the Association of Roztocze Friends "Jastrzębia Zdebrz" and organiser of the All-Poland Roztocze Bicycle Rally. For many years, he has been building a positive image of the region and popularising active leisure.
• Marcin Dąbrowski - manager of Lublin Tourist and Cultural Information Centre in Lublin; coordinator of tourist and cultural events, involved in the organisation of large cycling rallies and parades.
• Katarzyna Komisarczuk - vice-president of the Lublin branch of the PTTK; organiser of guide and tour leader courses.
• Artur Juszczak - president of the board of the Chelm Water Park, involved in sport and tourism activities; organiser of numerous bicycle rallies, during which he always actively promotes Chelm and the Lublin Voivodeship.
• Andrzej Wnuk - Mayor of Zamość, conducts numerous activities aimed at tourism promotion of the city and region, and supports the creation of new tourist attractions and products.
• Agnieszka Mazurkiewicz - general director of the Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Lublin, as well as the Regional Economic Chamber of Polish Hotel Industry; an unquestionable authority in the hotel environment of the city and the Lublin region.
• Ewa Skowronek is an outstanding scientist, professor at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, author of valued publications related to tourism and the implementer of many projects in the field of tourism in the Lublin region.
• Teresa Brzezińska-Wójcik in her scientific work at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin deals with the natural, economic and social aspects of tourism and recreation development, conducting research and educational projects. She is also a Member of the Board of the Lublin Regional Tourist Organisation.
• Hanna Zawistowska - Professor at the Warsaw School of Economics, a respected expert in tourism law, manager of Postgraduate Studies for Tourism and Hotel Management at the Warsaw School of Economics, chairperson of the Sectoral Council for Competencies in Tourism and member of the Expert Council for Tourism at the minister responsible for tourism.
• Zygmunt Modzelewski - owner of Kukle Tourist Center in Giby, creator of an innovative project of a clay village - a unique tourist product on a national scale, member of the Supervisory Board of the Association of Tourism Employers Lewiatan.
• Grzegorz Caboń - Chairman of the Board of Relavia Sp. z o.o., one of the most active tourism enterprises in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. His activities contribute to building strong local tourist brands and extending the tourist season in the Bieszczady.
• Daniel Wojtas - owner of the Tourist Agency Bieszczady Adventure, winner of the competition for the best tourist product of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, creator of active tourism programmes.
• Waldemar Ławecki is the founder of the Travel Agency "Bezkresy", organizer of historical and cultural tourism to the lands of former Poland, as well as author of numerous articles for the trade press.
• Sebastian Fijak is a guide and mountain instructor, vice-president of the Polish Mountain Guides Association. He is actively involved in raising the quality of mountain guiding and safety in the mountains.

The distinction was also awarded to the Mazowiecko-Podlaskie Agrotourism Association, established in 1996. It covers eastern Poland and has members from 11 poviats. It conducts a number of activities to develop and promote agrotourism and rural tourism.