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Summary of the activities of the National Respite Tourism Network

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It was a very intense year for the National Network Respite Tourism! What have we managed to accomplish together? See for yourself!

A group of people pose for a photo in Ojców National Park. They stand at a railing, with a beautiful mountain view behind them. These are members of the National Retreat Tourism Network during a study visit to Krakow.

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.

A color, horizontal photograph shows a large group of people of all ages walking along a wide path through tall grass. Among them are children in three-wheeled strollers pushed by volunteers. Some adults also carry children in baby carriers on their backs.

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)jedno nas górą. Razem Develop Social Tourism!", which was financed by a grant Active Citizens Programme – National Fund, financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway under the EEA Grants, we have managed to invite you to our new website: www.laczanasgory.pl

On the website you will find information about the Sudetes routes that are accessible by wheelchair and many events, initiatives and activities that we are preparing for you as part of the project. The mountains connect us. There you will also find the organizations and institutions we work with, as well as a schedule of future network meetings.

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

A color, horizontal photograph. In a bright room, a young man is giving a lecture. He's talking about a three-wheeled travel cart parked next to him. The audience sits in evenly spaced chairs in front of him.

photo: Marta Sobala