Sun Jan 25 18:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Polish Winter Break Drives Demand for Tourism Workers, Despite Economic Pressures

The Story:
The Polish winter break, staggered between January 19th and March 1st, is creating significant demand for seasonal workers in the tourism sector, particularly in the southern regions of Poland. This annual event, characterized by increased travel and recreational activities, is presenting opportunities for supplemental income, especially within the hospitality and service industries. The staggered schedule across different regions, altered this year to three periods instead of four, ensures a sustained, though regionally-specific, demand.

Key Points:
* High demand for workers in gastronomy and hotel services.
* Opportunities also exist for animators, child caregivers, staff at cultural institutions (cinemas, museums), and personnel at recreational facilities (ice rinks, swimming pools, amusement parks).
* Many seasonal positions offer the minimum hourly wage (31 zł brutto).
* Ski and snowboard instructors can earn considerably more, ranging from 60 to 120 zł brutto per hour.
* Non-monetary benefits like accommodation, meals, ski passes, and bonuses are common.
* Winter break is split into three periods this year: January 19 – February 1, February 2 – 15, and February 16 – March 1, based on region.
* Next school break is from April 2-7.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Polish winter break remains a crucial economic driver for the tourism sector, creating seasonal employment opportunities.
  • Despite many roles offering only minimum wage, specialized skills like ski instruction command significantly higher pay.
  • Non-cash benefits are a key component of seasonal employment packages, potentially increasing the overall attractiveness of these roles.
  • The staggered winter break across different regions helps sustain demand for workers throughout the entire period.

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