The Municipal Tourist Information Centre in Gołdap is the third best in Poland
21 Nov 2025
It’s a story straight out of a movie, where “David triumphs over Goliath.” During the prestigious ITTF Warsaw International Tourism Fair, the Tourist Information Center in Gołdap stood on the podium in the 15th Competition for the Best Tourist Information Center in Poland. There are currently over 300 certified tourist information points in the country, and despite such fierce competition, Gołdap – a city with just under 15,000 inhabitants – achieved an honorable third place in the highest, four-star category, competing on equal terms with the largest metropolitan areas.
Organized by the Polish Tourist Organization (POT), the competition is the most important event of its kind in the industry. Its goal is not just to award certificates, but above all, to truly improve the standards of tourist service in Poland. The competition jury meticulously verifies the facilities, ensuring that tourists – both from Poland and abroad – can count on professional assistance, reliable information, and modern solutions.
Stars that make a difference – what does “four-star” information mean?
In the tourist information certification system (Integrated Tourist Information System), stars are awarded, similarly to those in the hotel industry – from one to four. The difference between them is enormous and reflects the level of professionalism:
• A 1-star information point is often seasonal, offering basic maps and leaflets, with staff usually speaking one foreign language at a basic level.
• A 4-star information point (the category in which Gołdap was awarded) is absolutely top-class. To obtain this status, the facility must be open 7 days a week (during the season), be fully accessible to people with disabilities (no architectural barriers), have extensive multimedia facilities, and offer a wide range of publications. Crucially, employees must be fluent in at least three foreign languages. It’s precisely these stringent criteria that mean that the four-star category is typically dominated by large provincial cities with enormous budgets and teams. The presence of Gołdap – a city with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants – on the podium in this category, alongside tourist powerhouses, is a nationwide phenomenon.
This success is the result of many years of work by the Gołdap Region Development Foundation, which manages the winning Tourist Information Center – a task commissioned by the Gołdap commune. The award itself also has a symbolic meaning for the organization’s current management. “I am very pleased that the team of wonderful people working with me contributed to this nationwide recognition,” says Piotr Wasilewski, President of the Gołdap Region Development Foundation. “Since I am stepping down as president of the foundation at the end of the year, today’s recognition is the icing on the cake of our professionalism, the right approach to our audience, and the team’s creativity, evident in the numerous returning customers – all of which we implemented at the Tourist Information Center in Gołdap.” I can only wish the organization’s new management: maintaining the high bar I set and continuing its prosperity at this very level. I wish the local government authorities that the CIT program run by this foundation will achieve even higher results in future competitions. I thank the office staff – they know how much work it takes, and who I’m even talking about 😉
The award received in Warsaw confirms that Gołdap – the only spa town in Warmia and Mazury – prioritizes quality and professionalism – thus far, becoming a role model for other, much larger tourist destinations in Poland. Thanks to today’s event, Gołdap as a city has gained nationwide promotion in various media outlets affiliated with the Polish Tourist Organization.