Year 2008 for the Former Nazi German Concentration Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau was just another year rich in visitors who were over 1.1 mln in number.

They visited from Poland and abroad. Worth noticing is the fact that it was young people, mostly students, who made up most of the visitors. Although the museum had been more frequented in the preceding year, the number of visitors is still above a milion. However, 1,22 mln people in 2007 was a record-breaking figure. Poles were the most – 410.000, but the total amount of foreigners was 720.000. Just like in the year 2007 the biggest in number were guests from the following countries: the UK, the USA, Germany, Israel and Italy. Interestingly, visitors also came from South Korea (37.000) and Japan (5.000) which clearly proves that the place is the focus of attention not only among Europeans, Israelis and Americans.   

In the first months of year 2008 the number of people visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau was growing. Nonetheless, the financial crisis which struck the world in the second half of that year caused a significant decrease in the global tourist movement. When it comes to Auschwitz-Birkenau, frequency only fell down by a very small percentage – said Piotr M.A. Cywinsky, director of the museum – it shows that people's interest in this place is no less than before. - continued.   

The amount of people coming to the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum has been the biggest in recent years ever since the museum was set up. Last year, well-performed guidance was provided by nearly 250 specially-trained guides.

In an attempt to face the challenge of such great numbers of visitors, the Museum have introduced the idea of set of headphones for everyone so as for you to hear the guide properly. Ever since the last year people who want a guided tour have been receiving such a set of headphones. Not only does this system allow more silence in the place, but also increases comfort of sightseeing.