Official opening of the sailing season cancelled

Since the 1st of May, the sailing season was officially opened on the rotary bridge in Giżyck. This year the opening of the season for pandemic reasons was cancelled. Nevertheless, the lakes will be full of sails, and in small ports there will be concerts, fairs or workshops.

The owners and operators of the Mazury ports expectThat the government won't let them open in May. Hotels and guesthouses already know that by 3 May they will not be able to accept guests, and restaurants will only operate by serving take-out dishes. Nevertheless, the tourism industry in Mazury is preparing for May.

"Very many yachts have been chartered for this weekend" – said the owner of the mazury portal.info Zbigniew Jatkowski in an interview with PAP. He admitted that looking at the existing interest in yacht charter, some companies are already preparing for a very good season. "There are those who have reservations for all boats for the entire holiday season," he said.

Many holiday homes or rooms in guest farms were also rented for May Day. "Visits of guests, friends or further family are not prohibited. The same people have been coming to us for years, we're like a family," said PAP owner of lake cottages in the municipality of Mrągowo.

Many small ports will also be open. "I have a choice to open up and work or not have a pot to put on. This is no choice for me," said PAP owner of the port on the northern part of the Great Lakes Trail. He announced that he was going to light the grill and serve the guests meals. "Everyone will eat on a yacht in their group, I think it's much safer than driving public transport in Krakow or Warsaw," he said.

In one of the ports on the south of the trail, not only the opening of the port and serving take-out dishes were planned, but also workshops, fairs and even a shanty concert.

"Concert will be broadcast online so guests don't have to be under the stage, they can watch on phone screens. And we don't just need the fair. For months now, local artisans and artists who create beautiful crafts have been unable to earn money. We will have producers of natural juices and creams – super healthy products that have a short term of validity. Are these people going to throw out these products? We think that if there are open markets or breakfast fairs, we can also make a fair in the port," said PAP representative of this port.

Representatives of the tourism industry from Mazur stressed in a conversation with PAP that sailing is an activity in the air, away from foreign people so it will not serve the development of the pandemic. "The government should let us act. There are no queues on the water, like over the Sea Eye or in line for a lift in the mountains. Sailing should be promoted, because it is a safe activity in these times" – they argued and emphasized that Warmian-Masurian was the first to be included in the lockdown and therefore received no support. "Let Warsaw let us work now, let it not bother us," said PAP the owner of the port in the north of the trail.

On Mazury you can also rent kayaks or bicycles, which are offered by small local entrepreneurs.

Source: PAP