The Sightseeing and Active Tourism Society was established in July of 2013. It is an informal group of individuals that are passionate for sustainably exploring new places in their free time. The Society is composed of 14 members that organize activities that attract large groups of children, teenagers, and adults from not only Ełk but also the surrounding area. Society members act as excursion guides and are experts of both urban and rural areas. They are certified by the Society of Tourists, Naturalists, and Sightseers in Warsaw, Poland with specializations in bike tourism, kayak tourism, Nordic walking, and trail blazing.
Goals of the Society:
- To expand and build upon the tourist and sightseeing opportunities available to the general public
- To promote a healthy lifestyle while learning about the dangers associated with active tourism so as to avoid them and have a safe and enjoyable experience
- To nurture tourism, sightseeing, and other active forms of relaxation for children, adolescents, and adults via bike tours, kayaking trips, and hikes
- To protect and care for the environment that we have inherited, while using it in a rational way for recreation
- To protect our culture and national heritage
- To create an educational experience geared towards tourists, travelers, and lovers of world geography
Society Members:
1. Jan Olejnik
2. Jarosław Wasilewski
Jarosław graduated from the Janusz Korczak Pedagogical University in Olsztyn with his master's in biology. He then completed a post-master's program in teaching at the very same institution. In 2000, he became certified as a recreation tour guide for children and adolescents, including school field trips, and for campers and hikers. In 2001, he became licensed as an excursion guide of the Warmia-Masuria province and in 2004, a licensed driver guide. He has been qualified in bike tourism since 2014 and in trail blazing since 2015.
E-mail address: jarek.wasilewski@op.pl.
3. Michał Kalinowski;
Michał received his Master's in Tourism and Recreation from the Eugeniusz Piasecki Academy of Physical Education. He works as a sailing instructor, maritime yacht pilot, motorboat pilot, and lifeguard.
E-mail address: m.kalinowski_elk@op.pl
4. Przemysław Łojewski
5. Hubert Górski
Hubert graduated with a degree in Agritourist Engineering from the Higher Vocational School in Suwalki and a Master's in Tourism Economics from the University of Economy in Bydgoszcz. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Economics with a Specialization in Management Science at the University of Economics in Ełk. He is a licensed excursion guide of both the Podlasie and Warmia-Masuria provinces in Poland. He is also a licensed driver guide and has worked as a director of camp counseling with children and adolescents. He is a certified instructor of Nordic walking and a qualified tour guide with specializations in biking, kayaking, and questing. He works as a consultant for companies that produce materials and supplies used in ecotourism. He is a travel educator for all ages and is first-aid certified.
Email address: gh.gorski@gmail.com
6. Stefan Dziarnowski
7. Aleksandra Szmurło
Aleksandra is a certified Nordic walking instructor and a qualified tour guide with specializations in bike tourism, kayak tourism, and trail blazing. She is first aid certified. Email address: e-sha@o2.pl.
8. Andrzej Szmurło
Andrzej is a qualified tour guide in bike tourism, kayak tourism, and trail blazing. He is first aid certified. Email address: szmurloandrzej@gmail.com
9. Alicja Tracichleb-Salik
Alicja received her Master's of Arts in Teaching from the University of Warmia and Masury in Olsztyn. She is a certified Nordic walking instructor and a qualified tour guide with specializations in bike tourism, kayak tourism, and trail blazing. She is first aid certified. Email address: altrasal@wp.pl
10. Andrzej Salik
Andrzej is a qualified tour guide in bike tourism, kayak tourism, and trail blazing. He is first aid certified. Email address: andrzejsalik@wp.pl
11. Marek Sobolewski
12. Tomasz Tolsdorf
Tomasz is a certified tour guide by the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) and works as an examiner of tour guides in the Polish Chamber of Tourism. He is a certified excursion guide, driver guide, and instructor of trail blazing. He is a qualified tour guide with specializations in kayaking and Nordic walking. Email address: tomtolsdorf@gmail.com.
13. Emilia Sigiel
Emilia received her Master's in Tourism and Recreation with a specialization in Tourist Operations and Management from Białystok University of Technology's School of Management and her Certificate in Work Safety Regulations from the University of Finance and Management in Ełk. She is a qualified tour guide instructor and school field trip guide with specializations in biking, kayaking, and trail blazing. Emilia regularly works as an excursion guide and is first aid certified.
Email address: emilia.sigiel@gmail.com
14. Ewelina Sigiel-Salamonowicz
Ewelina received her Master's in Tourism and Recreation with a specialization in Tourist Operations and Management from Białystok University of Technology's School of Management. She is a qualified tour guide with specializations in bike tourism, kayak tourism, trail blazing, and nordic walking. She regularly works as an excursion guide and organizes school field trips. She is also first aid certified and sits on the Tourist Commission of the Association of Polish cities (2015-2020).
E-mail address: e.sigiel@cee.elk.pl
