Page 17 - EIF_CIP case studies

Urszula, Andrzej and Łukasz Kusion started running the PTTK Murowaniec U A Kusion Hostel in 1991.

Apart from the breathtaking views and the stunning setting in the Tatra National Park at 1,500 metres above sea level, the hostel also offers board and lodging to thousands of guests each week.

Tourists from across Poland and even further afeld often rest their weary feet at the hostel where they can tuck into local specialities including Racuszki and Nalesniki (Polish apple fritters and pancakes).

Urszula, Andrzej and Łukasz Kusion had been former employees at the stunning mountain hostel and had already gained valuable experience in running the place, so when they had the opportunity to manage the new franchise themselves, they naturally rose to the challenge.

The hostel employs 20 members of staff and often doubles its number of employees during the summer peak season, when they can expect up to 1,000 visitors per day – which also means a lot of washing up. So when they recently received a loan from the fnancial intermediary Pekao, the frst thing they bought was a new industrial dishwasher.

And the story does not end here: after getting their frst loan, they are thinking of applying for another one, this time to buy new equipment – as they can’t take the mountain to the electricity supplier, they hope to bring additional electricity supply to the mountain…

Company: PTTK Murowaniec U A Kusion Hostel, Zakopane

Type of business: Hostel EU-guaranteed loan from Pekao: EUR 21,000

Poland

Taking finance to the mountain

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