(CNN) – When Julie flew incessantly to Warsaw final 12 months, she deliberate to spend the weekend within the Polish capital, sightseeing, strolling in its parks, and consuming dumplings.
However by the point the date for her first journey got here in June 2022, folks round her have been now not so certain she ought to go.
“My mother and a few mates stated, ‘Warsaw is fairly near Ukraine, aren’t you frightened?'” she says.
She was not. “I did not hesitate,” she says.
“It is a charming place with such a wealthy historical past,” she says.
“The previous metropolis was rebuilt after the battle and it’s lovely. There are lovely parks, good climate in the summertime – it is a fabulous place, and the persons are very pleasant. there are some professional issues.”
Sadly, not each potential traveler feels the best way she does. Poland not solely borders Ukraine, however photographs of refugees crossing the border appear to bolster closeness in folks’s minds, which has a devastating impact on the tourism trade.
European airline Jet2 even suspended flights to Poland in March. They’ll begin working once more in September – too late for the summer season trip crowd.
“I feel that when the invasion began, folks heard in regards to the bombs close to the border, and now they’ve this picture of their head,” says founder Matt Mavir.
“However you must write it off. If Russia begins bombing NATO nations, the very last thing you’ll fear about goes to Poland.”
You could possibly hear Ukrainian spoken in Warsaw for those who knew the distinction from Polish.
Arthur Bogacki/iStockphoto/Getty Pictures
Private security will not be the one cause folks keep away.
“Folks say they do not wish to go someplace and be seen having enjoyable in a spot the place they assume there are a whole lot of refugees.
“Somebody misplaced their home, and you’re there in the identical T-shirts, ingesting beer – such a comparability doesn’t match.”
Briton Nikola Troup, who visited household in Warsaw in July, says the picture of ugly vacationers hanging round whereas refugees watch is solely not true.
“Perhaps it was a bit quieter than typical when it comes to overseas vacationers, and I undoubtedly seen extra Ukrainian being spoken.” Although, as she factors out, for those who do not communicate Polish or Ukrainian, you will not be capable to inform.
“Ukrainians have been in Poland…
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