Just 50 km from the Polish border, in the Ukrainian Western Carpathians, 1 of the largest ski resorts in this part of Europe is created – GORO Mountain Resort. He is liable for its construction OKKO Group, Ukrainian fuel company, which allocates to this task $1.5 billion. The hotel is to become a tourist centre of the region and attract guests from all over Europe, including Poland.
Impressive plans – 75 km of ski trails and 25 hotels
Investment includes construction 41 ski trails of a full dimension 75 kmto be available throughout the year. There's besides plans. the longest gondola railway in Ukraine with a dimension 2.8 kmand eleven modern chairlifts.
GORO Mountain hotel is to be a worldwide leisure complex, with 25 hotels, 5500 roomsspa, swimming pools, restaurants and luxury suites. The task has been divided into stages – the first phase of construction will include 5 hotels with 1100 roomsand its completion is planned for years 2028-2029. The full is to be completed within 15 years.
Is this the end of Zakopane's domination?
Zakopane and another Polish ski resorts have been attracting tourists from all over Europe for years, especially from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany. However, the improvement of the GORO Mountain hotel awakens concerns among Polish entrepreneurs from the tourism industry. Cheap accommodation, modern infrastructure and close proximity to the border can make many Polish skiers choose Ukraine alternatively of the Tatras.
There is no shortage of votes that the fresh Ukrainian hotel will become a serious competition for native centers. “If the prices of passes and accommodation are lower than in Poland, many tourists will choose Ukraine,” says the owner of the guesthouse in Białka Tatrzańska.
Cheaper than in Poland? Price policy will be key
One of the biggest assets of the GORO Mountain hotel may be lower prices compared to Polish resorts. Although the details of the cost of passes and nights are not yet known, analysts foretell that prices in Ukraine may even be 30–40% lower Not in Zakopane.
In Poland, the prices of one-day passes for the 2023/2024 period were:
- Tatra Protein: approx. 160 zł
- Kasprowy Wierch: 200 zł
- Brush: PLN 190
If Ukraine offers better conditions at a lower price, Polish resorts may have problem maintaining any tourists.
Polish authorities and the tourism manufacture must react
The improvement of the GORO Mountain hotel is not only a challenge for Polish entrepreneurs, but besides for local governments and tourist authorities. deficiency of investment in infrastructure in the Tatras and rising prices can make more tourists choose competitive directions.
Experts stress that Poland should invest in modernization of railways and ski routesand develop more attractive tourism packages.
Summary
Construction GORO Mountain Resort is 1 of the biggest tourist investments in this part of Europe. Modern infrastructure and competitive prices can make the Ukrainian hotel attract many Polish skiers, threatening the domination of Zakopane. Will the Polish tourism manufacture find a way to halt tourists?
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Ukrainian ski hotel for $1.5 billion is created right at the Polish border
