As the tourism market is neither homogenous or stable, it can be characterised by infinite variety and experiences and both short and long term fluctuations. Strategies to deal with and exploit such a market must be equally varied and flexible. One thing is certain, tourism is a steadily growing market but one where competition between potential destinations is increasing nationally and internationally. All this means that Szczecin will need to continue to develop its existing range of tourist products for target market segments which one realistically be satisfied by these products and continue to sell its unique attributes to these markets. At last, the Council seems to have understood that only interrelated initiatives will produce an attractive tourist product and a more positive image. Szczecin's recent membership in the Baltic Sea Tourism Commission BTC is complementing new city development strategy and a guarantee for success in this direction.

A fairly common perception of Szczecin is of a place which has changed significantly over the last years. The reality, of course, is that Szczecin is always changing. The recent transformation has lasted more than 10 years as the City has contended with the typical CEE city problems of obsolete infrastructure and the loss of industries, all the while searching for a new role.
The majority of Szczecinians are likely to be aware of the broader aspects of the competition for development amongst cities at national and international level. They are, indeed, interested in the outcome of the efforts being made to improve their living conditions and employment opportunities. The City Council and its agencies have demonstrated imagination and initiative in many of their achievements but a massive amount of work remains, including tourism development.
Equally, efforts are made to seek quality developments outwith the inner city, including, as far as possible, suburban housing developments which regrettably often display mediocre design and

layouts which take little account of the environmental opportunities which their location presents. With this Szczecin is trying to accomplish the seemingly impossible task of becoming an attractive tourist destination. The question is "how?" Like so many other economic

development initiatives, development as a recognized tourist destination results as a consequence of opportunism, commitment, partnership and professionalism. These attributes will enable the City to understand and exploit its growing strengths, tackle its weaknesses, and achieve a consensus between its long term objectives and between the principal "actors".

together with ship relators from the area has been represented at the annual worldwide cruise ship trade fair, Seatrade Cruise Shipping, in Miami (USA). The promotion has been successful - twice we engaged local artists singing and playing sailor's melodies on the ship organ. This programme made our fair stand one of the favourites in the entire hall.
Each cruise ship that enters our harbour for the first time is greeted with a large marching band from the city; the national anthem is always part of their repertoire. When the ships depart from Rostock, the harbour workers and the pilot sentries at "Rostock Port", give a signal for a pleasant trip and cheery good- bye from Rostock with a ship horn.

Rostock has rapidly become the favourite port of cruise ships coming to the North coast of Germany. Since 1991, the number of docking has reached 240 ships with approximately 190. 000 passengers.
Rostock is the "Gateway to Berlin" for many guests from USA. The 220 kilometres between the largest city in Mecklenburg- Vorpommern and the capital of Germany seem to be a short trip in American sense of distance - "just three hours away".
In the passenger cruise ship branch the market is highly competitive. Tour organisers, shipping companies and harbour cities have developed more and more original strategies. The goal is to cater to a continually growing passenger turnover, to make tour routes and ships better known, and to increase the number of docking in the harbour cities. Cruises are one of the most attractive and coveted

businesses in international tourism.
The Baltic Sea countries and their historical harbour cities have taken over a central role in Europe. The Mare Balticum has become highly attractive for passengers, tour organisers, and shipping companies due to the short distances between the target harbours. The "small sea" in Europe makes it possible to stop in ten European countries in about 12 days. The close neighbourhood of the Scandinavian countries, Germany, and the Eastern European countries is geographically ideal for the demands of tour organisers: few days, numerous countries, colourful cities. The majority of cruise tourists in the Baltic Sea come from the USA and wish such variety: western countries, eastern countries in development and aged harbour cities.
For the last five years Rostock