Poles Plan Weekend Getaways, Prefer Domestic Travel: OLX Study
Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A recent OLX-commissioned study reveals that most Poles plan their weekend getaways in advance, contrary to the myth of spontaneous travel.
- Poles predominantly vacation domestically, with nearly 90% traveling within the country in the last 12 months, compared to 54% traveling abroad.
- The study indicates that domestic trips primarily serve to strengthen relationships, with most travelers going with a partner and children, or just a partner.
Contrary to popular belief, weekend trips are not typically spontaneous for Poles. A new study commissioned by OLX found that the majority of Polish travelers meticulously plan their short getaways, much like longer vacations.
The research highlights a strong preference for domestic travel. In the past year, nearly 90% of respondents vacationed within Poland, while 54% traveled internationally. Notably, 17% of those who traveled abroad had not done so in over two years, whereas no respondents indicated such a long gap for domestic trips, suggesting a growing trend in local tourism.
Planning is a key element, with 35% of respondents organizing weekend trips one to three months in advance, and another 33% planning four weeks ahead. Only 8% admitted to making spontaneous decisions. While detailed itineraries are rare, with 58% opting for general outlines, most travelers prioritize booking accommodation and transport.
For longer stays of at least three nights, planning becomes even more critical. Around 40% of travelers begin organizing these trips one to three months prior, and 22% start even earlier. Spontaneous travel characterizes only about 4% of these extended breaks.
The study also sheds light on the purpose of these domestic journeys. Building relationships with loved ones is the primary motivation. Consequently, the most common travel models involve going with a partner and children (38%) or solely with a partner (38%). Travel with parents, siblings, or just children is less frequent.
Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.