For somebody who has never visited the beautiful city of Gdańsk, how would you sum up the essence of the city?

“Gdańsk is one of the most dynamically developing cities of Europe. In its history, it used to belong to the royal domain and held membership in Hanseatic League. It has inspired many prominent personalities, such as Gabriel Fahrenheit, Jan Hevelius, Arthur Schopenhauer, Günter Grass, and Lech Wałęsa.

Gdańsk has played a unique role in European history of the 20th century. It was here that the Second World War broke out in September 1939. Here too, in August 1980, strikes led by Lech Wałęsa started behind the walls encircling the Gdańsk Shipyard in protest against the Soviet regime. Here again, the people grouped around the newly formed ‘Solidarity' Independent Trade Union, which ultimately led to the dismantling of the communist system in Europe, to the fall of the Berlin wall and of the ‘iron curtain’ which had divided the European continent into two blocks.

Gdańsk is an international symbol of freedom and an important forum of meetings and discussions on democracy and human rights. Simultaneously, Gdańsk stands for magnificent beaches and woods, the world capital of amber, and a centre of culture, aspiring to the title of the European Capital of Culture 2016.”

Have businesses in Gdańsk experienced an increase in trade with countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland since accession to the European Union in 2004?

“They certainly have. Many companies from the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, or their branches, have located their businesses in Gdańsk. We have also had many more businessmen and tourists from those countries visiting our city.”

What aspects of Gdańsk make it attractive to businesses intending to set up their offices in Poland, or to investors?

“I think the size of the population, with almost one million people living in the metropolitan area, and also the growing number of infrastructural investments encourage investors. Of the latter, I should point out that there is the A1 motorway linking Gdańsk to Łódź and further on to the southern Polish border, the modernisation of the Port of Gdańsk, which aspires to become the largest trade hub on the Baltic sea, or new roads. The Deepwater Container Terminal (DCT) for instance, located in the Port of Gdańsk and the largest foreign investment in the city, is doing pretty well. Other companies can achieve the same.”

Please tell us about any interesting projects or developments taking place in the city, or perhaps districts undergoing regeneration.

“I believe the Young City project is a good example that would best answer your question. This project involves revitalisation of the neglected land reclaimed from the Gdańsk Shipyard, and the development of one of the largest waterfronts in Europe. It includes building new roads and infrastructure, erecting retail units, office space, and residential development. The Young City is just a 7 minute walk from the main train station and a 15 minute walk from the Old Town of Gdańsk. The Young City project will add 750 000 square metres of new usable floor space, including a multi-purpose centre with a large shopping centre, a multiplex and IMAX cinema, two residential towers, and one office tower.
The Gdańsk authorities are revitalising the neglected district of Letnica where the new stadium for the UEFA Euro 2012 Championship is being built”

What unique factors can Gdańsk offer to attract investors from the United Kingdom and Ireland?

“The City of Gdańsk has been in the process of implementing a strategy of sustainable development based on the knowledge-based economy. Gdańsk is regarded one of the best alternative locations for IT investors. It was indicated as such in an independent report by consulting firm, KPMG: ‘Exploring Global Frontiers - The New Emerging Destinations’. According to the report, the key drivers of the city’s position as a favourable IT destination are: availability of highly skilled professionals in the IT sector, the relatively low wages paid to the IT specialists compared to the salaries expected in other Polish cities, the infrastructure, the quality of life, security, and support to investors. The list of IT companies present here includes well known brands like: Intel, IBM, Compuware, Zensar, Acxiom, First Data Corporation.

Another factor of importance to investors is transport. We have regular connections with 4 English seaports: Newcastle, Teesport, Hull, and Felixtowe, and regular flights to 11 airports in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. On top of that, almost 100% of students and young people can speak English”

The UEFA Euro 2012™ will certainly put Poland in the spotlight - how does Gdańsk plan to make the most of it?

“During the event the attention of all European football fans will be centred on Poland and Ukraine. This will be an occasion for the city to be shown in important, influential television and radio shows, leading national newspapers, and specialised magazines. Such free publicity will give Gdańsk a unique opportunity to promote its brand name and its comprehensive tourist offer – the best hotels, airport, cultural events, and sightseeing and tourist trails. Gdańsk will prove that it can meet all European standards, and can compete with any other holiday destinations and is able to welcome tens of thousands visitors at one time.

The infrastructural aspect of the tournament is important to the citizens. We make the most of the UEFA Euro 2012™ as a stimulus to speed up the investments. In anticipation of the event, we will build new roads, an additional airport terminal, and improve bus transport. The football fans of Gdańsk will gain a new stadium for their local team, and music lovers will gain an opportunity to listen to their favourite performers playing live at the new venue. Gdańsk will also refer to the UEFA Euro 2012™ in its future applications for hosting similar events as the proof of the city's capability to organise events of such magnitude”

What is the most common reason for visiting Gdańsk - business or leisure?

“Most certainly both. Gdańsk is a beautiful city with century-long traditions, it is a city surrounded by the beaches of the Baltic sea and wild natural forests. In 2008 The Times declared Gdańsk as one of ten world most attractive tourist destinations. At the same time, it is a centre of dynamic development, which is a result of its openness to investors and business people.”

What captures the hearts of the visitors to Gdańsk in the first place?

“Everyone visiting Gdańsk falls under the spell of its magnificent architecture and fascinating history. The historic Old Town ranks among the best sights that Gdańsk has to offer. Its architecture is strongly influenced by the city’s broad cross-European contacts and its membership in the Hanseatic League. The impact is reflected in the configuration of the downtown area criss-crossed with canals as in Amsterdam or Hamburg. In 1994, the Old Town of Gdańsk was recognised as a monument of the past, which gives grounds to having it entered in the UNESCO list. Last but not least, do not forget that Poland – including Gdańsk - is famous for beautiful women!”

The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) conference will be held in Gdańsk this summer. How does the city plan to take advantage of the fact that so many tour operators will visit it?

“The AITO conference in Gdańsk will gather 80 top tour operators from the United Kingdom. This will be a unique opportunity to promote Gdańsk to the British market. Gdańsk and all that is has to offer will certainly make its way to the tour operators’ offers and catalogues, which will increase the number of tourists visiting our beautiful city on the Motława River. This is of particular significance in the context of the city’s continuously broadened cultural and investment offer, considering its excellent air connections with the British Isles and its brand name already recognisable to the British due to effective promotion.“

What advice would you give to first-time visitors? What sites and attractions should they include in their itineraries?

“Visitors should first visit the historic Old Town of Gdańsk. To fall in love with the place, simply take a stroll along the impressive Royal Route opening with the richly adorned Renaissance Golden Gate, then following Long Street and Long Market (Długi Targ). Back in the 14th century, Long Street was where the richest families of the local upper class lived. Towering over the Street is the Town Hall of the Main City, once the seat of the city authorities and the magistrate court. Right after the Town Hall is the Long Market - a busy centre of city life and one of the most exquisite marketplaces in Europe. Reigning over the Long Market stands the Neptune Fountain - the 17th century symbol of the city's coastal connections. The Route closes at the Green Gate, today housing the offices of such well-known names as Lech Wałęsa, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. After the gate the view opens again on the Motława River and the houses of the long embankment tucked along the bank and flanking one of the most beautiful promenades in Gdańsk. The central feature of the boulevard is the Gdańsk Crane, originally erected as one of the largest lifting port structures in Europe. The city gates along the embankment open onto the charming lanes of Gdańsk, including St Mary’s Street with its absolutely unique air of magic. Beloved by the amber artists and jewellers, the street closes with the towering bulk of St Mary’s Basilica, one of the largest brick shrines in Europe. Gdańsk is also a city of unique museums, including the Amber Museum, and the ‘Roads to Freedom’ exhibition near the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers, which portrays the times of the marshal law and the birth of the ‘Solidarity’. These sites should certainly find their way to the itinerary of each and every visitor.”

Gdańsk regularly tops polls and surveys ranking among the most attractive cities to visit in Europe – if not in the world. Why do you believe this is the case?

“In its function of the European Centre of Solidarity, Gdańsk is a central venue of debates on the problems of the contemporary world. Being the World Capital of Amber it stimulates imagination of fashion creators and designers. As a capital of culture it inspires and attracts artists. Gdańsk welcomes over 5 million tourists a year. The local accommodation base is developing dynamically. The city offers the network of 20 hotels, 6 of which are top standard.

“Gdańsk: We make things happen” is the slogan of the city, and it is by no means accidental. Gdańsk is the stage for events which inspire the whole world. Its vicinity to the sea and the openness of its residents spur new trends and timeless ideas. Gdańsk is – above all - a city ringing with life, a place which the publishers of the renowned British guides, Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Travel, rank among the 10 cities world wide recommended as a top tip for 2009”.
 

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