Good organisation, positive atmosphere, high level of security
Foreign fans and tourists assessed the Euro 2012 group stage in Poland as very good. These are the results of the survey conducted by PBS during the Championship in Euro 2012 Host Cities. 92% of the respondents assessed the atmosphere during the tournament as positive, while 85% considered the organisation of the Championship in Poland very good. The assessments of Euro 2012 in Poland by foreigners are better than equivalent surveys conducted during Euro 2008 in Austria.
– We are preparing now for the semi-finals that will be played on 28 June in Warsaw – said the Minister of Sport and Tourism during a press conference on Thursday. – What is particularly important during that tournament stage is air transport; airports in Gdańsk and in Warsaw are operated impeccably owing to the conducted investments – added Joanna Mucha. – I encourage once again to use the Polish Guide. The information is updated there on a regular basis – added the Minister.
Beside the plans and operations pertaining to the coming matches, the results of the survey conducted among the fans were presented during the conference. The survey summed up the assessment of the thus far EURO 2012 stage among the citizens.
The survey was conducted by PBS in 4 Euro 2012 Host Cities on 8, 10, 16 and 18 June on a total sample of 4,000 people aged over 15. Foreign fans and tourists were surveyed before, during and after a match. Over 60% of them were in Poland for the first time. The survey was conducted in two stages: On 8 and 10 June and on 16 and 18 June, so as to make it possible to obtain the most credible assessments of foreigners on the organisation of the entire Euro 2012 group stage in Poland.
Nearly all foreign guests, namely 92% of respondents, declared that after returning to their home countries, they will recommend Poland as a tourist destination that is attractive and worth visiting. Nearly 80% said they would come back to Poland. Foreign fans assessed railway transport as very good – 73% of the respondents expressed their opinions on that subject. Foreigners also had a positive opinion about the urban volunteers who worked during the Euro 2012 at airports, railway stations, fan zones and public space of Host Cities. Over 90% of the respondents who used their assistance assessed it as very good. The general assessment of the organisation of fan zones in Poland is also very high; it includes nearly 90% of positive opinions among the visitors.
During the group stage, there were a total of 2,577,433 people who were having a good time in fan zones in Poland. Within that time, 101 violations of order occurred, which, as for the scale of the event, gives Euro 2012 in Poland the rank among the safest international events of that type. It is confirmed by the survey results: 85% of foreigners felt safe in Poland during Euro 2012.
The survey on satisfaction of foreign fans and tourists were also conducted during Euro 2008 in Austria. Although the results were very good, the foreigners’ opinions in case of comparable aspects connected with organisation of Championship in Poland are much better. Positive opinions about the safety level during Euro 2008 in Austria were expressed by 75% of foreigners, whereas in case of Poland it was over 85%. Better opinions of foreign fans in Poland were also expressed in the general assessment of organisation of the tournament – it was ranked good by 68% of respondents in Austria and by 85% in Poland.