MINUTES. INTERFACE project conference of Gdynia Baltijsk/Kaliningrad route Gdynia City Hall Ul. 10 Lutego 24, room 107

Transcription

1 INTERFACE c/o Hanseatic City of Rostock Dr. Andreas Schubert Neuer Markt 1 D Rostock Phone: Fax: andreas.schubert@rostock.de MINUTES INTERFACE project conference of Gdynia Baltijsk/Kaliningrad route Gdynia City Hall Ul. 10 Lutego 24, room 107 Agenda: Informal meetings of participants Short welcome and introduction by Ryszard Toczek Introduction of participants Presentation of current status of INTERFACE project by Jakub Urbaniak Presentation of current regulations of non-visa travels for organized groups from Poland to Baltijsk and Kaliningrad by Consul of Russian Federation Sergiej Puczkow Presentation of current prepares in Baltijsk port regarding tourism by Viktor Koshelev Presentation of possibilities of starting operation on Gdynia Baltijsk route by Harris Mawusi from Port of Gdynia Coffee break Discussion Establishing of working group for development of Gdynia Baltijsk route Conclusions

2 Page Lunch Participants: Municipality of Gdynia Ryszard Toczek Jakub Urbaniak Ewa Laskowska Port of Gdynia Authority Harris Mawusi Port of Gdańsk Authority Jarosław Polak Wojciech Łakomski Russian Federation Consulat Sergiej Puczkow Polish Swedish Chamber of Commerce Małorzata Kowalska Edyta Skóra Ship owner Żegluga Gdańska Sp. z o.o. Robert Latała Pomerania Regional Tourism Organization Wojciech Kreft Gdańsk Tourism Organization Anna Pajka Bogdan Donke Chamber of Tourism in Gdańsk Wiesław Niechwiedowicz Pomerania Chamber of Entrepreneurship Dariusz Gobis Maritime Academy in Gdynia Ilona Urbanyi Administration of Bałtijsk Viktor Koshelev Aleksander Fomin Walerij Władimirowicz Zotkin Tourism Agency Brizen in Kaliningrad Ljubow Georgijewna Mostakova Union of Tourism in Kalinigrad Region Tamara Pietrowna Toropowa Łarysa Nikołajewa Zotkina Marshall Administration of Pomerania region Michał Graban Ship owner Stena Line Polska Sp. z o.o. Maciej Zborowski Union of employers Forum Okrętowe Jerzy Czuczman Representatives of tourism in Pomerania region Wojciech Antoszkiewicz Gdynia Turystyczna association

3 Page 3 Marta Neubert Tourist office Mart-tour Woźniak Grzegorz tourist office Nord List of Participants: Attachment 1 Points of Discussion: The conference started with welcome and introduction by Ryszard Toczek. The goal of the conference is to establish a ferry connection between Gdynia Baltijsk/Kaliningrad. Guest were asked to introduce themselves. After the introduction Jakub Urbaniak presented the current status and goals of INTERFACE project. Next presentation was done by general Consul of Russian Federation in Gdansk Sergiej Puczkow. He presented the current regulations regarding tourist groups and non visa travels for them. Later presentation was made by Viktor Koshelev. He presented the current status of preparation in Baltijsk port. At the end Harris Mawusi from Gdynia Port presented possibilities to operate from Gdynia harbour on Gdynia Baltijsk/Kaliningrad route. Discussion: 1. Puczkow Sergiej from last year there were no changes in visa regulations, so this is possible for organized groups on the ships. They can come to Kaliningrad for 72 hours without visas. 2. Ryszard Toczek - Between Gdynia and Kaliningrad there are many different agreements made, which make travels on this route possible. Most important is partnership agreement between Gdynia and Kaliningrad. Leitmotiv of tourism cooperation in Gdynia and Kaliningrad could be the Amber Route. As we are the part of other projects of Baltic Adriatic corridor, it is very important to develop business and tourism contacts and to spread this corridor also to Kaliningrad with opening of Gdynia Kaliningrad route.

4 Page 4 3. Marta Neubert - The main problem is visas for tourists and business. Also the visa regulations for tourists from other countries have to be simplified. One or two day trips to Kaliningrad are sufficient. 4. Bogdan Donke whole tourism business in Pomerania region is interested in Gdynia Kaliningrad route. In this region there is 4,5 million tourist and also about million of tourists from other regions or countries. 5. Maciej Zborowski The main business for Stena Line is freight. But passengers are also one of the main issues of this business so there has to be a RO-PAX ferry on this route as well. Baltijsk itself is not a goal of the visits in this regions so a lot of changes have to be done and programs for tourist have to be developed. Otherwise there is no point to pay for visa. 6. Robert Latała There is a ferry terminal in Baltijsk, but it is not ready yet and not opened for passengers. In Kaliningrad there is no place for mooring. 7. If it will not happen this year than next season will be lost. The promotion of the route and region can be carried by PROT. 8. Niechwiedowicz Wiesław reminded the very first RO-PAX ferry passage 18 years ago on Gdynia Baltijsk route. Also he covered the passage between Baltijsk and Kaliningrad by bus. He told that visas should be derestricted. The problem is time a person has to wait for it and cost of the visa. 9. The Kailiningrad region is a strategic partner. There are some project which support Gdynia Baltijsk route but mainly to develop small marinas and harbours. We cooperate in project to revitalize E-70 waterway (Antwerpia Kaliningrad). 10. Ryszard Toczek We have to treat this route as a part of public transport (water tram). This way of thinking warrants applying for public money. 11. Wojciech Antoszkiewicz Gdynia Turystyczna association is ready to develop programs for tourists. Conclusions: Polish side is well prepared for operating on Gdynia Baltijsk/Kaliningrad route. Tourism market is interested and focused to develop this route for

5 Page 5 business and tourists. They are integrated in associations. Ship owner and terminal building are ready to start operating on Polish side. The barriers are formal regulations and technical problems no proper infrastructure in Baltijsk. Working group established during this conference should immediately start to identify and develop programs for tourists and promote them. Parallely there should be a program to eliminate formal barriers in communication between Gdynia and Kaliningrad.