Is your new Polish partner real, or just a $50 mailbox ?

Are you about to transfer a deposit to a new Tour Operator in Warsaw? Stop. Before you approve that payment, you need to know the uncomfortable truth about the Polish B2B tourism market. That prestigious skyscraper address on their letterhead might be nothing more than a cheap "virtual office" used to hide a lack of licenses and staff. Don't let a fancy facade fool you into a financial loss. Read how to spot the red flags before it's too late.

You receive an email. The signature reads: CEO, "Global Poland Travel." You look at the footer, and the address is impressive: Grzybowska Street or Aleje Jerozolimskie in the very heart of Warsaw.

You check Google Maps. You see glass skyscrapers, modern business centers, and prestige. You think: "This must be a major player. A safe partner."

You reply, send an offer, and perhaps even book services on credit.

Stop right there. You might be walking into a trap.

In today's tourism business world, an address in a prestigious Warsaw skyscraper costs... about $50 to $100 USD per month. This is the price of a so-called "Virtual Office."

For DMCs from Asia or the Middle East, a European office is often synonymous with stability. However, many entities operating in Poland are essentially "shell companies."

They have beautiful websites and addresses on the capital's most expensive streets. But physically? Under that address, there is only a receptionist collecting mail for 500 other such "companies."

There are no employees. There is no accounting department. And worst of all—often, there are no legal permits.

Polish tourism law is strict, but scammers know how to bypass it. Collaborating with an unverified firm is a huge risk: you might send your tourists on a trip, but the invoices will never be paid.

Here is what you must know before signing a contract with a Polish Tour Operator:

1. The Central Register (CEOTiPoN)

Every legal tour operator in Poland must be listed in the Central Register of Tourism Organizers. If the company is not there, they are operating illegally. They have no right to send people abroad.

2. Insurance Guarantee

This is your security in case of the partner's bankruptcy. "Virtual offices" often lack this or have it at a minimal amount that won't even cover the cost of a single flight ticket if they go bust.

3. TFG and TFP Funds

Does the company pay contributions to the Tourism Guarantee Fund (TFG)? If not, they are breaking the law.

I am not writing this as a theorist. I used to hold a full Tour Operator license myself. I know exactly how much effort and paperwork it takes to run a legitimate travel business in Poland.

But I also know the pain of trusting the wrong people. In the past, during my travels and business operations, I experienced my own share of mishaps with local travel agencies in distant countries. I know the feeling when a partner who looked professional online turned out to be unreliable on the ground.

I learned these lessons the hard way. I paid for that knowledge with my own stress and money. Now, I use that experience to protect you. I know where to look and what questions to ask because I have been on both sides of the table.

Many international partners fall for the facade. They look for a partner with a "big office," thinking it guarantees safety. That is a mistake of the past.

We live in times where real value lies not in the marble on the reception floor, but in knowledge, experience, and integrity.

I am not a corporation hiding behind a virtual floor in a skyscraper on Grzybowska Street. I am a specialist. A real person who has traveled the world, knows the market inside out, and acts as your safety shield.

• I don't have massive overhead costs—so I don't have to charge massive margins.
• I am not an anonymous manager—I take personal responsibility for my consulting.

My role is to be your "eyes and ears" in Poland. Before you sign an agreement with a Polish Tour Operator, let me verify them for you.

Acting as your local consultant, I will:

• Check the KRS (National Court Register): I will see if the company is in debt and who is really behind it.
• Verify Licenses: I will confirm their status with the Ministry.
• Visit Them (if necessary): I will check if there are actual people working at that prestigious address, or just an empty mailbox.

Business is done with people, not buildings. In Poland, amidst a maze of regulations and growing competition, it is easy to make a costly mistake. Let me protect you from it.

I help Asian and Middle Eastern DMCs enter the Polish market safely and effectively. As a former licensed Tour Operator with global travel experience, I bridge the gap between cultures and ensure your business partners in Poland are legitimate.

At GlobNet Marketing, we believe that the best results are built on transparency and trust. Below are the key pillars that define our partnerships with DMCs and Tour Operators.