Summary of the activities of the National Respite Tourism Network

It's been a very busy year for the National Retreat Tourism Network! What have we accomplished together? See for yourself!

Grupa osób pozuje do zdjęcia w Ojcowskim Parku Narodowym. Stoją przy barierce, za nimi widok na piękne góry. To członkowie i członkinie Ogólnopolskiej Sieci Turystyki Wytchnieniowej podczas wizyty studyjnej w Krakowie.
photo: Katarzyna Spokoj

We met three times online on the Zoom platform. At each meeting, important issues related to developing common mechanisms for the network's operation were discussed, and member entities and organizations presented their work. A total of 84 people participated in the online network meetings.

We also had the opportunity to get to know each other personally during five two-day study visits:

  • In Bukowina Tatrzańska, during a panel discussion of foundations and associations working to empower people with disabilities, the network itself and its constituents were presented. Seven people representing the network participated in the event.
  • During their visit to Lower Silesia, network members had the opportunity to observe and learn how to engage with people with disabilities through active tourism and wilderness workshops, and how to organize such events. Six people from various organizations participated in the visit.
  • The visit to Szklarska Poręba, Jelenia Góra and the Jizera Mountains integrated 11 people from various organizations.
  • The network was also one of the partners of the International Conference ISBA 2023, which took place in September in Wrocław. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we organized one of the network's study visits alongside the conference. Eleven people representing five organizations operating within the network participated in the conference.
  • The most recent visit took place in Krakow. A total of 18 people from all over Poland participated in the study visit.
Kolorowa, pozioma fotografia: duża grupa osób w różnym wieku spaceruje szeroką ścieżką przez wysokie trawy. Wśród nich są również dzieci w trójkołowych wózkach pchanych przez wolontariuszki i wolontariuszy. Część dorosłych niesie także dzieci w nosidłach na plecach.
photo: Marcin Trzpiot

Currently, the network consists of 30 entities that have signed the membership declaration and are working together to empower people with disabilities through social tourism. We thank you for your commitment and look forward to next year and continued cooperation.

We are also very happy that as part of the project "(Po)łącza nas górą. Razem we rozwoju mojego miasta!" (Mountains Connect Us. Together We Develop Social Tourism!), which was financed by the Active Citizens Programme – National Fund, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway under the EEA Grants, we have been able to invite you to our new website: www.laczanasgory.pl

On this website, you'll find information about Sudetes trails accessible by wheelchair, as well as the many events, initiatives, and activities we're preparing for you as part of the "Łąją nas górą" (Gains Connect Us) project. You'll also find the organizations and institutions we work with, as well as a schedule of upcoming network meetings.

You can check out what we have in store for you next year here: www.laczanasgory.pl/harmonogram-wydarzen-ostw/

Kolorowa, pozioma fotografia. W jasnym pomieszczeniu młody mężczyzna prowadzi wykład. Opowiada o trójkołowym wózku turystycznym, który stoi koło niego. Przed nim na równo rozstawionych krzesłach siedzi publiczność.
photo: Marta Sobala