Polish hoteliers and real estate developers have offered to throw parties for pregnant customers while they are with them, in order to increase their country’s low birth rates.
Władysław Grochowski, who owns one of Poland’s largest hotels and real estate chains, has promised to host free celebrations such as baptism parties for those who become pregnant while staying at one of his Arche Group’s 23 hotels.
He also pledged to pay a cash bonus of 10,000 Zlotys (approximately $2,750) to staff or customers with children within five years of purchasing one of the company’s properties.
In an interview with financial site Money.pl, Grochowski said:
He said some of the chain’s properties have been renovated churches that can be used to host weddings and baptisms, while other churches have parks where trees are planted at each birth where eligible births are recorded.
“Parents of the first children born in this program will also receive a stroller and a special welcome package,” he said.
CNN reached out to Arche for further comment.
Like many countries around the world, Poland is struggling to deal with declining birth rates. In 2023, it recorded 1.2 births per woman, according to Eurostat, the European Union’s Bureau of Statistics.
Grochowski explained the rationale behind his unusual incentive package and stated in an interview with Money.
Founded by Grochowski in the early 1990s, the company has built over 4,000 hotel rooms and a portfolio of 27 restaurants, with over 10,000 apartments to date.
Involving the Arche website revealed that it is highly involved in social issues that are involved in various initiatives to maintain local heritage, protect the environment and promote sporting events.
Separately, the entrepreneur and his wife, Lena, founded the Lena Grokowska Foundation in 2014, focusing on humanitarian work. As part of this, they provided security and shelter to some of the many Ukrainian refugees who have crossed to Poland since the outbreak of war in 2022. This job won the prestigious United Nations Award in 2023.
In an interview on the UNHCR website, Grochowski explained the motivations behind his work.
