budapest tourism statistics

Tourism In Budapest Statistics 2024: Your In Depth Guide

by GoWithGuide travel specialist: Courtney C.

The jewel on the danube.

Nestled along the graceful curves of the Danube River, Budapest emerges as a city that transcends mere splendor — it is the Jewel on the Danube. As you explore its wide streets and take in the colossal buildings that stand as testaments to its vast history, the sheer magnitude of Budapest unfolds before you. 

While a city is much more than its statistics, especially one as beautiful and grand as this, it’s incredibly fascinating to learn about the intricacies of the most visited cities in the world, and who knows, you might be inspired to hire a Budapest tour guide , and get your own adventure started!

Welcome To Budapest: Exploring Vital Statistics

Tourism plays a crucial role in Hungary’s economy, contributing 9.5% of the country’s workforce in 2019, however, due to the pandemic, the country saw a significant drop in tourist numbers, plummeting from 15.9 million in 2019 to 6.6 million in 2020.

So, how many tourists visit Budapest yearly? Tourism in Budapest experienced steady growth since 2009, reaching nearly 4 million accommodation stays in 2019, however, the pandemic led to a substantial decline to just over 700,000 in 2020. Encouragingly, tourism in Budapest saw a resurgence in 2022, with arrivals soaring to nearly 6.9 million!

Budapest, with a population of approximately 1.774 million , not only stands as the vibrant heart of Hungary, but it also makes up 17% of the nation's population. Divided by the Danube's gentle flow, Budapest is a city of dualities, composed of Buda and Pest, each contributing to the city's unique character. This year, Budapest invites travelers with open arms, having been crowned among Condé Nast Traveler's top destinations. Need to know why it’s so popular? Keep reading!

Travel tip: Interested in some different places to visit when you arrive? Be sure to read about 6 Hidden Gems and Unusual Places to Visit .

Cultural Mosaic: Diving Into Budapest's Metrics

Who visits Budapest the most? For foreign travelers to Hungary that also visited Budapest, Spanish and Portuguese nationals take the lead with 96.8% of travelers from Spain and Portugal  to Hungary also visiting Budapest, closely followed by…

• Finland (95.8%) - Over 95% of Finnish travelers to Hungary also went to Budapest
• Greece (94%) - Over 95% of travelers from Greece to Hungary also went to Budapest
• Ireland (91.4%) - Over 95% of travelers from Ireland to Hungary also went to Budapest
• Italy (88.8%) - Over 95% of travelers from Italy to Hungary also went to Budapest 

Budapest seems to be a popular settling point for international residents. In fact, of almost 100,000 residents in Budapest, about 5.8% are foreign nationals. It was found that these residents are from Germany, Romania, Slovakia, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and Ukraine. 

Understanding Budapest: Your Most Asked Questions 

Do they speak English in Budapest? - While 99% of Hungarians speak Hungarian, English is spoken fluently by only 16% of the population, with many speaking broken English. In Budapest, the English proficiency is a high 600 out of 700 for tourist areas. Looking to experience the city off the beaten path and bridge the language gap? Why not book a local private guide to give you a personalized tour and help you learn beyond the surface!

Why Do People Love Budapest? - Budapest boasts UNESCO World Heritage sites like Buda Castle and the Budapest History Museum. Venture into Pest, where St. Stephen's Basilica reaches towards the heavens and the lively Jewish Quarter houses the world's largest synagogue. The city has so much to see. 

Budapest Unleashed: What Makes Budapest So Special?

Why do tourists visit Budapest? Great question! There’s so much to do and see in this spectacular city, so your itinerary should begin with what aligns with your interests. Looking for stunning buildings, arts, culture, and nightlife? Well, Budapest has you covered, and we’ve listed some great locations to get you started.

Experiencing Budapest's Landmarks

·   Hungarian State Opera : Iconic neo-Renaissance building with marble sphinxes, 1,000-seat auditorium, and year-round classical music performances.

·   St. Stephen’s Basilica : Neo-Renaissance structure adorned with mosaics, frescoes, statues, and stained-glass.

·   Margaret Island: a 100-hectare recreational island with medicinal baths, 200-year-old trees, and a Water Tower providing a panoramic view of Budapest.

·   Parliament Building : Neo-Gothic marvel, the world's third-largest parliament with Renaissance and Baroque features; built with 40kg of 23-carat gold.

·   Buda Castle Funicular: UNESCO World Heritage Site offering panoramic views of the Danube, modeled after the one in Lyon.

·   Dohány Street Synagogue: Oriental atmosphere, twin towers visible from a distance, accommodating over 3,000 visitors.

·   Széchenyi Baths: Budapest's spa city with over 100 natural springs; Széchenyi Baths date back to 1930.

Festivals and Celebrations in Budapest

·   August Bath Parties at Sziget: Enjoy vibrant summer nights at Budapest's Sziget with lively bath parties in August.

·   Budapest Fireworks Show: Witness the spectacular Budapest Fireworks Show for a dazzling display over the cityscape.

·   Junibor Wine Festival: Savor the rich flavors of Hungarian wines at the Junibor Wine Festival in Budapest.

·   Budapest Summer Festival: Immerse yourself in the cultural delights of Budapest during the lively Budapest Summer Festival featuring concerts, musicals, ballet, and opera.

Unveiling Budapest’s Vibrant Nightlife

·   Summer brings Széchenyi spa parties and winter hosts bath parties at Lukács.

·   Enjoy affordable drinks in Budapest, but check prices beforehand. Club entry fees range from 1,000 to 2,000 HUF.

·   Experience a ruin bar crawl; consider booking an English-speaking tour guide.

·   Attend a night concert or folk show, such as Hungarian Folk Dance Performances nightly at 8pm during peak season.

·   Don't miss the Summer Festival on Margaret Island from June to August, featuring concerts, musicals, ballet, and opera.

Okay, after all that walking around, you’re bound to be hungry, so what food should you eat in Budapest?

Local Flavors: A Culinary Expedition Through Budapest Markets

What food is Budapest famous for? From fluffy Lángos to the famous Gulyás, our culinary expedition unveils the city's rich tapestry of flavors. Let’s go through what you need to try when you’re there!

Street Food:

·   Palacsinta: A paper-thin pancake with sweet or savory fillings.

·   Kolbász: a meat sausage.

Main Dishes:

·   Libamáj: Fattened goose liver.

·   Lecsó: A tomato stew.

·   Esterházy Torta: A nutty almond cake.

·   Krémes: A vanilla slice.

Travel Treat: Budapest’s Delicious Drinks

·   Tokaji Aszú: a sweet dessert wine.

·   Pálinka: a fruit brandy.

·   Craft beer: Made from breweries like Mad Scientist, Fehér Nyúl, MONYO, HORIZONT, Reketye, HopTop and First.  

Ready to indulge in the culinary wonders of Budapest? Let your taste buds dance with delight with everything the city has to offer! Book a food and drink tour to ensure you’re experiencing the best while in Budapest.

Metro Mobility: Navigating Budapest's Transportation Statistics

Did you know, 59% of Budapest's population uses public transport for commuting, while 29% drive and 11% prefer walking? 

Currently, there are no direct rail lines from the airport to Budapest, but two bus lines run every 20–30 minutes, taking 35–45 minutes. Additionally, an airport minibus operates on a first-come, first-served basis. So how should you get around when in Budapest?

In Budapest, the central districts (V, VI, parts of I, II, VII and VIII) offer easily walkable attractions. Public transport options like the metro, bus or tram are available for those who prefer it, with most attractions accessible via the four metro lines or major tram lines (4, 6 and 2).

Traveling from Pest to Buda is convenient with trams 47 and 49, while Tram 19 is recommended for sightseeing Buda, the Danube and famous attractions in Pest.

Budapest's transportation is cost-effective compared to many Western European cities. But to also streamline your travel experience, download the BudapestGo app for ticket purchase, travel cards and route planning. Remember to validate your ticket at the beginning of your journey!

Hopefully, you’ve now got plenty to add to your list of things to do in Budapest. Maybe a little too much? To make it easier for you, creating a tailor made itinerary with a local Budapest guide to enhance your exploration of Hungary’s capital city?

Exploring Buda & Pest’s Weather: When To Visit

Budapest experiences four distinct seasons, with harsh winters and hot summers. Rain is scattered throughout the year, with November having the highest 'wet days' at an average of 14 °C. May and November see the greatest precipitation, measuring between 70mm to 72mm each month.

• Winters in Budapest:

Winters can be piercing but are relatively short, occasionally with bright sunny days. Temperatures in December average 1ºC, dropping to a minimum of 2ºC. January is the coldest month, historically reaching lows of -23ºC! February sees frequent, light snowfall, creating a picturesque blanket, although it’s still very cold.

• Summers in Budapest:

Summer temperatures from April to September provide about ten hours of daily sunshine. July and August attract the most visitors, with average temperatures of 21ºC, which makes it a beautiful time to visit. Climate change has led to more extreme summers, though, which have been continuing into September. June averages 19ºC, while July and August have recorded highs of 39ºC.

Travel Q&A: What is the busiest month in Budapest? August is Budapest’s busiest month, with the Grand Prix and Sziget festival occurring, plus the country’s biggest holiday — St Stephen’s Day — and the Budapest Festival of Folk Arts. Be sure to book flights, accommodation and event tickets well in advance!

• Transition Seasons:

September maintains summer warmth, gradually decreasing to 16ºC in October and 8ºC in November. Early autumn is ideal for traveling to Budapest, with sunny days and fewer tourists. Spring, like autumn, is also great, with blooming trees, bright flowers and green grass. While March and early April can be unpredictable, late April and May offer pleasant weather.

• Best Times to Visit:

Spring and autumn are considered the best times to visit Budapest due to enjoyable weather and fewer tourists. If you prefer more predictability, plan your spring vacation for the latter half of April and into May.

Navigating Budapest: Dos and Don'ts For A Seamless City Experience

So, you’re all set for your fantastical trip, but is there anything else you should know before you go?

·   Do Buy Hungarian Forint at small exchange stores in the city, they often have better prices.

·   Do learn a few Hungarian words, like hello, thank you, sorry, yes and no.

·   Do always check the prices on the bill before paying.

·   Do drink Pálinka, a strong alcohol made from ripe fruits, like apricot, pear, plum and cherry.

·   Don’t fall victim to overcharging, pickpockets, physical intimidation or scams.

·   Don’t let helpful taxi drivers or local women lure you to establishments they recommend. They generally receive a commission.

·   Don’t rely on tourist buses to see all the touristy landmarks — consider a private tour instead.

·   Don’t forget to validate your public transport ticket! Ticket inspectors are dressed in everyday clothes.

Staying Safe: The Budapest Edition

When it comes to staying safe in Budapest, it’s not that difficult. In fact, Budapest has a safety ranking of 65.6 out of 100 , beating cities like Brighton and Bristol in the UK, and Florence, Italy. The overall crime index is a low 34.41 out of 100 , and a high ranking of 61.9 for walking around at night. With that said, Budapest isn’t crime free, so these pointers should help you stay safe. 

Where should you avoid staying in Budapest? When planning your trip to Budapest, consider avoiding accommodation in H ős Street, the 8 th district , the 5 th district and the party district around 6 th and 7 th districts.

Special note: Budapest Nightlife - Avoid night spots like Fontana Club, Mamba Club and Nirvana; especially steer clear of nightclubs in Váci utca, but see a detailed blacklist here .

Alright, if by now, you’re sold on visiting this spectacular city of Budapest, it’s time to take the next step! 

There are a range of different Budapest tour guides offering you a unique experience on your travels, so be sure to check them out!

Popular Budapest Tour Guides

The two biggest problems in my life are, that I was born too soon to become a space-cowboy and too late to become a roman legionary soldier. Since Tour guiding was the closest profession to both of these above mentioned things, I became one. Although I finished the university as a communications expert and journalist in Hungary, it seems they did not prefer my honesty, so I didn't have too many prospects in that field. Without a clue of what to do next, I embarked on a journey to find some answers. I soon found my ambition in Tour-guiding and ended up working on a cruise ship, then as a freelancer tour-guide, and then as an adventure tour-guide in Norway. I've been working in the tourism industry since 2012 and ever since, it''was my dream to create an authentic company of my own and to show the beautiful things of my home country. My travels took me to more then 40+ countries. [And I still have both of my kidneys] Sadly during my journeys, I have discovered that out of 100 companies 99 are simply tourist traps, who scam their customers with some fake "experience". But I also saw, that the authentic and quality tour operators are the longest lasting companies with 20+ years. I aspire to become like that 1 in 100 companies. I believe in win-win situations. I'm a social guy. I like to be around people and to show them around. I like to have deep and honest conversations about things and I love to meet some truly amazing guests. There is nothing that you cannot talk about with me. I like this job so much, that I would even do this job for free, but since I cannot buy food with respect, love, or honesty, I do need something more tangible. Anyways…why are you wasting your time reading about me? Go book a tour and we will have all the time in the world to get to know each other and this beautiful Country.                                                                                                                                  

Hi! My name is Kristóf (Hungarian for Christopher), I'm a certified tour guide living in Budapest. I became a guide as it allows me to combine my long lasting interests in storytelling and architecture. As a guide I really enjoy finding and telling intriguing stories or curiosities that can be tied in with the location. Such stories are a great way to connect the built environment to the community that inhabits it, or provide an insight to its cultural and historical context. The city has a long history living through different ages, and I hope, that together we can take a peek into the life of a long gone era.                                                                                                                                  

Zsuzsanna K.

Ma passion is to know my city and my country better and better and to forward this knowledge through serious and happy stories. my aim is to show our beautiful country and budapest to foreigners so that their stay will be among best memories in their life.                                                                                                                                  .

George rashad S.

Dear visitors i am happy to welcome you on my page i am a historian and a licensed tour guide in hungary. as a tour guide my main goal is to get the most of the dear visitor's time, during their visit in the most convenient way possible. that is why my tours are personalized with flexible departure times and routes. i'm fond of history and i am fascinated by the various cultures. i graduated as a historian. being a tour guide, i found what i was looking for. it is a great feeling, when i can present the values of hungary, share interesting stories and information to visitors who long to see and know more, while i also constantly expand my skills and get to know new people. for me, the real success is the joy and satisfaction of my guests. i work in the field of tourism for more than 10 years. my historic and cultural tours embrace the most beautiful and the most important attractions of budapest, which treasure and revive the history of hungary. the walking tours provide an exquisite opportunity to immerse you in the urban maelstrom, gain insight into people's everyday lives, try out the developed public transport network of budapest, including europe's second oldest tram. in case you would rather sit back and enjoy the sightseeing in comfort, you can choose one of my driving tours. i wish you wonderful time in hungary best regards, george                                                                                                                                  , plan your trip to budapest.

Chat with a local tour guide who can help organize your trip.

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Budapest gears up for tourism in 2021 and beyond

As Budapest emerges from another long lockdown, how can the city revive its tourist industry? Local experts have just taken part in a joint online conference to address the major issues, not the least of which will be staff shortages.

Budapest Brand , responsible for the image and marketing of the Hungarian capital, gathered a select panel of experts and professionals from hotels, travel agencies, restaurants and festivals to discuss opening plans for the coming months. 

Csaba Fai x , Budapest Brand CEO , opened by expressing his hope for more terraces to be operating, given the crowds gathered at certain cafés last weekend. While such matters remain out of councils' jurisdiction, the City has managed to speed up the permit process and free up more parking spaces on Andrássy út. Help is also being offered to those applying for the recently introduced tourism rescue package, with a reopening hotline (06 1 318 8718) and free office rentals for event organisers.

Shortly before the closures late last year, a new tourism strategy had been prepared, Let’s Meet in Budapest 2021-2027  . The Restart Budapest Card will be renewed this year, with its added attraction of three hotel nights for two .

Faix stressed the inevitable importance of the role to be played by state and government in promoting Budapest to Hungarians outside the capital for the sector to survive. They are working on a joint marketing campaign , with extended use of the nationwide SZÉP discount card and additional reopening grants.

This summer, in a joint operation with urban activists VALYO , the riverbank should feature street furniture and installations , though not a pub as had been rumoured. Talks are ongoing with  Vienna and Prague for a joint initiative to attract tourists from neighbouring countries.

Budapest hotels

Tamás Flesch , President of the Association of Hungarian Hotels and Restaurants , painted a somewhat gloomy picture about reopening preparations and what the hotels in Budapest could expect. Autumn would be the earliest when foreign tourism could resume, though bilateral arrangements with neighbouring countries may assist in that process beforehand. "Next spring, tourism in Budapest may be similar to the period before Covid," he said with certainty.

He doubted whether many hotels would open in the summer or even in the autumn, especially those catering to  large groups .

Budapest is not primarily a destination for domestic tourism – 93-95% of the industry is based on foreign custom . This is supported by the statistics: in 2020, only 3-4% more visitors came from within Hungary. Flesch believed that Restart and SZÉP Cards were nice options but wouldn’t produce more than 10% occupancy .

There should be a sharp drop in prices in the upcoming period, but as demand picks up, that will change. One of the most pressing problems right now is labour shortages , not knowing who will return to the profession. Many have gone elsewhere or to other kinds of jobs. This is expected to result in an increase in wages and a situation where hotel receptions won’t work 24/7 – as is already the case with many Western-European hotels.

Currently, every major European city is waiting for flights to relaunch. In many Western-European countries, it is not even possible to travel domestically. But if people can go, they will – as seen at busy cafés terrace after last weekend’s reopenings.

Budapest restaurants

Three key figures from the city’s gastronomic sector –  Zoltán Hamvas of Stand , Gianni Annoni of Pomo D’oro and Rudolf Semsei of the VakVarjú chain and Budapest Party Service – were counting on full houses in the not-too-distant future. Stand still saw healthy figures last weekend for takeaway and home delivery even though many terraces were open. 

All agreed that vaccination was the ultimate solution, and that in the long run, domestic custom should drive the industry more. Annoni signalled that price cuts might be a problem: provincial caterers, in particular, should understand the value of fair trade . 

At the same time, price increases are also expected, with both Stand and Pomo D’oro experiencing dearer supplies due to difficulties in deliveries from abroad, exacerbated by weaker exchange rates . The question also arose whether takeaway and home delivery would die out like last summer. Back then, Hamvas tried to stop takeaway services, but guests resisted . Annoni now plans to stop home delivery when the situation returns to normal, but he doesn’t plan to remove it either.

Labour shortages also seem to be problematic, Annoni explaining how difficult it is to find good staff in Italy at the moment. According to Hamvas, a lot of people went to work in construction, but thinks that experienced professionals should return.

Budapest Airport

Head of airline development and commercial planning at Budapest Airport, Balázs Bogáts is also responsible for bringing as many flights to Budapest as possible and increasing traffic . This has been inherently difficult for the past 14 months. 

A 90-95% reduction in operations has been recorded since September and, according to the calculations of Airports Council International (ACI), the recovery of all European traffic will only be achieved by 2024-25. However, Budapest feels more optimistic , and aims to be one or two years ahead of this.

According to Bogáts, the city has not lost its appeal, low-cost airlines will react faster to demand, and Budapest will rely largely on them and traditional price levels .

There is also optimism that when Hungary reopened last July , traffic jumped and capacity increased sevenfold . An increase of 70% is expected for June-July this year, and it is already known that 33 airlines are definitely planning to operate from 116 airports . That’s very reasonable, considering that this number was 153 in pre-Covid 2019.

Currently, 100 flights a week depart from Budapest, which could grow to 600-700 . According to Bogáts, this summer will be about beaches not cities, so expectations won’t be set too high – but good marketing should help.

Passengers should definitely expect be countries and airlines will make travelling subject to a PCR or rapid test , or both, but everything can be arranged at Budapest Airport. Security certificates will also be needed, for which several digital versions have already been suggested which border guards will be able to check quickly. The EU should decide on the matter soon.

Budapest spas

Budapest & Héviz Spas CEO Ildikó Szűts also spoke about a segmented pricing policy , discount packages and a new strategy for 2021-2023. Six baths should open imminently, perhaps even on 1 May: the Széchenyi , Gellért , Rudas , Lukács , Csillaghegy and Paskál . Phase 2 is expected for Whitsun with the opening of the Palatinus and Pesterzsébet lido . Then on 15 June, Pünkösfürdő , Római fürdő and the Dandár , currently inaccessible due to road renovation.

Each spa would be tailored to a target group and event tourism . Privately funded health care and post-Covid services will be provided. 80% of their workers have already been vaccinated , with security certificates expected from guests, and  separate entrances and exits are planned to lessen congestion.

Budapest festivals

The government decree on reopenings does not include music and dance events, so Tamás Kádár , MD of the Sziget Festival , still does not know the whether it would run this year. According to him, there will definitely be smaller festivals , but for the big ones, booking performers and other organisational planning are paramount. According to István Márta , President of the Hungarian Festival Association , this is an uncertain industry, but many see the situation more positively than last year, especially small and medium-sized festivals.

If all goes well, by September at the latest, the Crafts Festival will be held in Buda Castle , the Érd Jazz Festival, several smaller festivals in Szentendre , the Bakáts Festival, the Pont and Margit Festivals , the Budapest Wine Festival and the Városliget Rosalia should all take place, while the Gourmet Festival and Children’s Island will be pushed back from June. Kádár rejected the suggestion to organise the Sziget for Hungarians only, on the grounds that it was an international brand . Quality could only be guaranteed with the same budget:  “Without the international element, it wouldn’t be Sziget!”

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Introduction

What is the ntdsc.

The National Tourism Data Supply Centre (NTDSC), which started operating in 2019, is the largest and most comprehensive development in the tourism sector to date. The digital platform operates under the supervision of the Hungarian Tourism Agency and provides a real-time overview of the anonymised statistical traffic data from all the nation’s accommodation sites. The data received via the property management system (PMS) are used to prepare analyses that help with making data-driven decisions in support of the tourism profession. The NTDSC also plays an important role in combating black market activity in the tourism sector, as local governments with regional jurisdiction and the National Tax and Customs Administration also have access to the data sets relevant to them.

Operative legislation requires all domestic accommodation providers to register all accommodation sites in the NTDSC. Starting from 1 November 2021, this registration obligation extends to catering establishments and tourist attractions, which will be required to report data starting from 1 July 2023. As a result, the NTDSC will have access to data pertaining to the performance of all major players in the tourism sector. The notary with regional jurisdiction will monitor registration and day-to-day data reporting.

Why is the NTDSC necessary?

A fundamental objective of the government’s National Tourism Development Strategy is to make Hungary a leading tourism region in Central Europe and to reach 50 million guest nights by 2030. Another declared objective is the development of digital tourism, which aims to expand the options for digital solutions, services and experiences in the entire sector. Up-to-date data of sufficient quantity and depth suitable for making tourism development decisions, i.e. relevant statistical data, are essential for achieving the desired objectives.

The objectives of digital statistical data collection:

• the accurate and up-to-date measurement of the turnover and statistical traffic data of all domestic accommodation sites, catering establishments, and tourist attractions;
• integration of the data relevant to the more efficient planning of strategy aimed at sectoral competitiveness, developments and campaigns, and for measuring their effectiveness;
• preparation of forecasts on expected guest turnover based on accommodation occupancy and reservation data, which can be used to identify intervention points more effectively;
• the creation of a single, national, up-to-date database of accommodation sites, catering establishments and tourist attractions;
• combating corruption in the tourism sector.

Which data are included in the NTDSC?

The NTDSC receives only statistical data from individual property management, catering and ticket sale software systems. The NTDSC does not receive, record or store any personal data. Individual guests cannot be identified on the basis of the data received by the NTDSC. Personal data are only processed at individual accommodation sites. If an accommodation provider records any data which may be used to identify a guest, the accommodation provider must have a privacy policy regarding processing the guest’s personal data, which must be made available to and accepted by the guest.

Based on the depersonalised statistical data from the accommodation sites, the NTDSC presents the most important tourism indices: how many tourists from which countries spend how many days in Hungarian accommodation, what services they receive, and how much money they spend. The data reported by accommodation sites to the NTDSC consist in large part of the data specified in the Central Statistical Office’s forms numbered 1036 and 1761. These are supplemented with some more modern concepts that help with analysis, such as sales channels or  guest segments. Together with the data reported by catering establishments and tourist attractions, the NTDSC can provide a comprehensive overview of the performance of the tourism sector in Hungary. The NTDSC only collects cumulative statistical data for tourism purposes.

Legislation

• Act CLVI of 2016 on State Functions Pertaining to the Development of Tourism Regions
• Government Decree 235/2019 of 15 October implementing Act CLVI of 2016 on State Functions Pertaining to the Development of Tourism Regions
• Government Decree 239/2009 of 20 October on the detailed conditions for engagement in accommodation service activities and the procedure for the issue of accommodation licences
• Government Decree 210/2009 of 29 September on the pursuance of commercial activities

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Development of the tourism sector in hungary from 1995 to 2021.

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All data for Hungary in detail

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Budapest : Tourism Insights

As Budapest’s new tourism organisation, Budapest Brand is responsible for managing the capital’s marketing strategy. CEO, Csaba Faix, enthuses about the multidimensional aspects of the river city.

Q&A WITH CSABA FAIX, CEO, BUDAPEST BRAND

Can you talk us through the origins of budapest brand.

Csaba Faix, CEO (CF): Budapest Brand was born when two organisations merged at the end of 2020. The organisation working on the city’s image and the cultural and tourism centre became a single entity with the aim to tell stories and give memorable experiences. Budapest Brand’s mission is to connect the people who live here with the things and experiences that happen here. It gives them visibility by providing unique adventures through different events.  

Budapest Brand shapes the capital’s brand and tourism strategy, and is responsible for producing valuable cultural content and organising festivals and fairs. We identify the potential of the city to create a liveable and lovable city image for residents and visitors and connect communities in a way that defines Budapest.  

Our priority is to showcase the values of this city, shape and coordinate tourism in Budapest, position it as a destination and adapt it to the ever-changing environment. 

Why should someone visit Budapest – what defines the city?

CF: Budapest is a colourful and diverse city with a rich history, exceptional architecture, traditional thermal baths, and friendly locals, but it also has a contemporary feel and an über-eclectic vibe. Besides the grand boulevards, historic monuments, religious buildings and elegant cafés, visitors will find off the beaten path gems, such as hidden courtyards with bohemian or chic bars, amazing street art, unique designs, and clothing boutiques. Budapest has a wonderful combination of high culture and street life. The ‘wow factor’ is truly unexpected for most visitors.  

This eclecticism is also present between the urban and natural features of the city. The Danube River divides the city into two parts – Buda and Pest – which you can easily cross with the many bridges spanning the river. Going on a river sightseeing tour makes you appreciate the city even more. Budapest has several green lungs in its centre, including Margaret Island, a recreational, car-free zone with ancient trees and ruins, a musical fountain, swimming facilities, and a plethora of green spaces. The City Park area is becoming the museum district of Budapest with long-established classical venues and contemporary new museums, such as the award-winning House of Music. These natural spots are surrounded by urban areas and grand buildings, such as the distinguished Parliament or the historical museums. 

As a culturally diverse city, what type of travellers does Budapest attract?

CF: The tourism experience of Budapest is multi-faceted to reflect our cultural diversity. On one hand, the city attracts the affluent market as there are many high-end hotels and the number of luxury properties is growing with international brands opening new hotels. We also have several Michelin star restaurants for tourists to enjoy after exploring the cultural sights or visiting the newly renovated State Opera House. 

On the other hand, the city is welcoming travellers with different budgets too. Budapest is considered a very affordable destination; although prices for flying in or taking the train have increased, they are still considered affordable for visitors from the euro, pound, or dollar zones. There is a great variety of accommodation in the 3-star and 4-star categories, and you can always find centrally located short-term rentals too. 

Every year, large music festivals and sporting events shape the tourism landscape of the capital. They attract a large audience that primarily visits the city to go to those events. Think of the annual Sziget music festival, the World Athletics Championship in 2023, Harley-Davidson’s 120th anniversary, or the annual Formula 1 race. Luckily, these travellers see the potential in the city and extend their stay by a few days before or after the events. 

The MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry is also getting stronger in Budapest with state of the art venues, congress centres, and professional local suppliers, and business travellers to the city on the rise. 

Budapest is becoming one of the most important hubs for river cruising in Europe. Many of the river cruises start or finish their sailings in Budapest where passengers usually spend a few extra days. These travellers are primarily from North America and Western Europe. 

As Budapest is a city of two halves, what is the strategy to connect the communities?

CF: In 2023, Budapest is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the unification of Buda, Pest and Old Buda. Although the city dates to Roman times (you can find the ruins of a Roman settlement here), it was in 1873, exactly 150 years ago when the metropolis was born. The communities of the smaller towns joined together, and Budapest was formed.  

We consider it vital at Budapest Brand that local communities are part of the city’s tourism and city branding strategy. We believe that these two entities (locals and visitors) are intertwined. We are creating cultural experiences, community events, festivals and fairs, and concerts that primarily target locals. We believe that if locals enjoy spending time in their city and are proud to be ‘Budapesters’, then visitors will feel a similar way.  

We are extending the tourism borders of the city by creating memorable experiences in districts that are not predominantly tourism focused. By doing this, we are creating local, community-based events and denoising the central areas that have a lot of tourists.   

In our strategy as the cultural organisation of Budapest, we are also showcasing and highlighting marginalised groups. By supporting local street art exhibitions, alternative music or local jazz festivals, and LGBTQ+ events, we are not only focusing on raising visitor numbers but most importantly building communities.  

Our job is to help people notice how many amazing things are happening in their city during their daily routine so that they can raise their heads for a moment and marvel at what surrounds them. Since I have been working as the CEO of Budapest Brand, I have been constantly amazed by how many exciting details and people fill this city, and the amount of colourful and hidden areas that are waiting to be discovered and mapped. I think everything that is exciting in the world right now is here in Budapest in a small way.

What does Budapest have to offer in terms of sustainable travel experiences, and are there any goals in place regarding this?

CF: Budapest has many green areas in the heart of the city which benefit locals and visitors alike. You can hike up to Gellért Hill, wander around the Buda Hills by taking the chairlift, or visit Margaret Island or City Park. The city has a very strong focus on green initiatives by planting more trees and making sure that new constructions and developments do not need to cut down trees.  

Public transport is wonderful in Budapest and is also very affordable. The trams, bikes, buses and the underground system allow people to leave their cars at home. The Budapest Card, the official city pass, was created for visitors to offer free public transport and eco-friendly tours including electric minibuses. 

During weekends, the Pest embankment along the Danube River becomes a car-free zone. People are walking, biking, roller-skating, playing sports or grilling food by its banks. It is a wonderful initiative where locals can reclaim a part of their World Heritage City.   

Upcycling is cooler than ever before. Old tenement buildings and parking lots are converted into pop up hipster bars and community spaces. At Szimpla Kert, the original ruin bar, the design is eclectic, the music is mostly local, and every Sunday they have a farmer’s market with local vendors.  

There are wonderful market halls around the city where you can sample locally grown produce and buy goods from their producers. Ecser, just outside Budapest, hosts a well-loved flea market, where objects from bygone eras find new owners. Zero waste shops and package-free stores are on the rise, and there are several design focused handicraft and arts markets around the city.   

Sziget Festival, the largest music festival in Hungary, has a very strong focus on sustainability. There are also increasingly greener events in the MICE sector, and the number of vegan restaurants is also growing.  As demand rises both from locals and visitors, suppliers are seeing the business potential in opening meatless restaurants and food trucks; it is not just about goulash anymore.  

The rail network is quite extensive in Europe and many international trains and night trains connect Budapest with the rest of the continent. One of our goals is to have a stronger focus on sustainable travel modes in the future. We are continually working on becoming more sustainable, focusing on local communities and finding new technological solutions that would also help travellers to be more sustainable during their time in Budapest.  

We have launched a city-shaping community movement called Budapest Tuning, a competition that encourages residents to be creative. We expect ideas for experimental projects, cultural programmes, and art productions from people living here. Based on the decision of the jury, we implement these grassroot projects with professional know-how and funding – whether it’s an outdoor action, a public space creation, community building or the installation of new green areas.

What trends are currently transforming tourism in Budapest?

CF: Artificial intelligence (AI) and new digital tools are shaping the marketing of Budapest. The beautiful shots of World Heritage Sites will simply not be enough in a few years’ time. Travellers are looking for unique experiences that they cannot find elsewhere. We are constantly looking at these unique experiences and locations, and try to highlight them in our marketing. We have partnered with The Trip Boutique, a travel tech company that offers hyper-personalised travel itineraries based on the visitor’s preferences and styles. We need to offer travellers feelings and vibes that they can only feel in Budapest, and that are also authentic to the city. 

As for tourism in general, we need to carefully observe what other big cities are doing about overtourism as we do not want to become the next overcrowded tourist city in Europe. Sustainability and being more environmentally cautious are not only trends that transform tourism globally, but also sources of the world’s survival. 

For many years, there has been a shift from Budapest being a party city to a world-renowned cultural destination. Service prices (food and drink and mid-tier hotels) are still quite affordable in Budapest, which benefits many party-tourists. After all, these stag and hen party visits are shifting to other cities outside of Hungary and even the European Union. 

Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Budapest, particularly with regards to bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic?

CF: Budapest’s tourism industry, along with many other city destinations, has experienced the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial crises, the increase in gas prices and the war in Ukraine, which is our neighbouring country.  

The situation caused by the pandemic forced us to re-evaluate our ideas. We had to come up with ideas that were born in the spirit of adaptation and invention in a period that did not promise to be easy from an economic point of view.  

Despite all the difficulties, the number of visitors is back to the levels of 2019, with some months even surpassing pre-pandemic levels. New hotels are opening, big congresses are booked for the coming years, and with many international events this year alone, we are expecting a very good year in tourism.  

There may be financial uncertainties in our local governance, but we are optimistic that tourism will remain a crucially important part of the Hungarian capital’s economy. 

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Statistics of tourism

The United Nations recognizes the World Tourism Organization as the appropriate organization to collect, to analyse, to publish, to standardize and to improve the statistics of tourism, and to promote the integration of these statistics within the sphere of the United Nations system.

“Official statistics provide an indispensable element in the information system of a democratic society, serving the government, the economy and the public with data about the economic, demographic, social and environmental situation.”

Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

The UNWTO Statistics Department is committed to developing tourism measurement for furthering knowledge of the sector, monitoring progress, evaluating impact, promoting results-focused management, and highlighting strategic issues for policy objectives. 

The department works towards advancing the methodological frameworks for measuring tourism and expanding its analytical potential, designs practical guidance for their implementation in countries, supports statistical strengthening in countries through capacity building, and compiles and disseminates tourism statistics of countries all over the world.

The United Nations recognizes the World Tourism Organization as the appropriate organization to collect, to analyses, to publish, to standardize and to improve the statistics of tourism , and to promote the integration of these statistics within the sphere of the United Nations system.

Tourism Statistics Database

UNWTO systematically gathers tourism statistics from countries and territories around the world into a vast database that constitutes the most comprehensive statistical information available on the tourism sector. 

COVID-19 AND TOURISM STATISTICS

With new situations emerging from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, some clarifications need to be made to the UN statistical standards on tourism to maintain as far as possible data consistency and international comparability

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Nicholas Pongratz

Monday, May 31, 2021, 09:00

Government approves National Tourism Strategy

Image by Tupungato/Shutterstock.com

The government has approved the National Tourism Development Strategy, laying a solid foundation for the sector's recovery, Zoltán Guller, the head of the Hungarian Tourism Agency, said, according to mfor.hu. 

The strategy advocates digitalization, the expansion of the data-driven management of the sector, putting a tighter squeeze on tax evaders, implementing consumer-focused marketing and sales, and enhanced training. It addresses catering, wellness tourism, business travel and conference tourism, as well as religious tourism in separate chapters. 

A key message of the plan is that working in tourism and catering is "not just a job, but a profession," Guller said. The strategy continues to target an annual 20 million visitors and 50 million guest nights and aims to make Hungary the most popular tourist destination in Central Europe by 2030, he added. 

The strategy was drafted with the participation of 49 professional associations and five historical churches. Representatives from those groups signed a memorandum of understanding on solidarity and strengthening cooperation.

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