hungary national tourism organization

Hungarian Tourism Agency .

National government agency

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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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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

MTU: Record year for Hungary's tourism in 2023

Zoltán Guller told a press conference that some 16 million tourists spent 41 million guest nights in Hungary last year.

• Hungarian Tourism Agency
• Zoltán Guller

Zoltán Guller, the head of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ), said the performance of Hungary’s tourism sector last year beat that in 2022 and matched or exceeded the record year of 2019.

Citing preliminary data, Guller told a press conference that some 16 million tourists spent 41 million guest nights in Hungary last year. Revenue of tourism accommodations and catering establishments rose in the double digits, beating the rate of inflation, he said. Commercial lodgings registered 1.3 million more guest nights last year than in 2022, he said, adding this was a significant increase because estimates showed that international conflicts reduced the number of guest nights by one million. Total revenue of tourism accommodations was 860 billion forints (EUR 2.2bn), up 23% compared with 2022, he said, adding that guests spent 1,780 billion forints at catering establishments, 18% more than the year before. Of the roughly 16 million tourists, 7.1 million were foreign, an 18 percent increase from 2022, he said. Guller said the sector was expected to see sustained growth this year.

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February 3, 2016 - Staff

Permalink: https://goo.gl/JQUe8i

Having nationalized public education, health care, tobacco retailing and even the publishing and distribution of textbooks, the government of Hungary has trained its sights on the country’s booming tourism sector. According to official documents obtained by hvg.hu, it plans to create a new government body to coordinate large sporting events, concerts and festivals, the cost of which is to be largely covered by “fees”.

National Tourism Agency

The National Tourism Agency (NTA) will function as the “central organization for things related to tourism” and will replace the state-owned Hungarian Tourism company. The new government body will serve as an umbrella agency for subordinate state-controlled organizations, which will include every tourism-related service ranging from village motels to conferences.

National Congress Office

Among the NTA’s subordinate organizations will be the National Congress Office, whose job will be to turn Hungary into one of “the Central European region’s largest conference organizers, beating out other cities, such as Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Zagreb and Ljubljana.” In addition to organizing big conferences in Hungary, the National Congress Office will help market players enter the market, further develop the tourism sector and improve Hungary’s international image by organizing signature events similar to the “Geneva Auto Show” and international cooking competitions.

According to hvg.hu, the National Congress Office would operate as a nonprofit organization, allowing it to both receive state subsidies and collect membership dues. In addition, it would collect fees and commissions from events, conference locations, hotels and “other service providers.”

Hvg.hu reports the document in its possession does not specify who the due-paying members would be, only that membership dues and other revenue streams would cover 50 percent of its budget within 3 to 5 years.

National Event Coordination Center

The government is also planning to create another organization called the National Event Coordination Center to “organize and coordinate tourism drawing events” and sporting events. The center would assist the largest events by providing a coordinating board of logistical experts, event planners, and communication and emergency planning experts.

The National Event Coordination Center would be made up of various divisions, including

• Cultural Program and Event Planning Division which would oversee festivals, artistic events and productions, and culinary events;
• Residential Events Division which would create, produce and “totally carry [out] all events in public areas and other large crowd-drawing events, including concerts, fireworks, in the capital and around the country”; and
• Sporting Events Division for all things related to sports because “Hungary will be the host of several significant international sporting events.”  This is important because, according to the document, these events help strengthen the country’s national identity, improve Hungary’s image, strengthen the national identity and drive developments in the sector.

According to the document, sporting events in Hungary capable of drawing international crowds are not common because the country’s sporting associations are not sufficiently active. The document’s author concludes, therefore, that solving this would require a “sports administration organization” to collaborate with the tourism sector on organizing such events. The Ministry of Human Resources would not lose its influence over the country’s sporting world, but the new “sports administration organization” would create or assume key sporting policy tasks.

The Sporting Events Division would conclude agreements with various sporting associations in which it assumes the right to make decisions ranging from submitting tenders to concluding sponsorship agreements.

National Tourism Development Office

Hvg.hu reports the government also plans on setting up a National Tourism Development Office, whose responsibility it would be to turn rural Hungary’s “touristic qualities into a product, improve it and put it on the market,” and to promote the Mátra mountains and wine regions.

The National Tourism Development Office would develop marketing strategies for what it thinks are Hungary’s important tourism locations, such as Tokaj, Balaton and the Fertő lake.

Budapest tourism to be centralized

According to hvg.hu, the government would also create something called the Budapest Tourism Development Organization because Budapest “is of great significance in the government’s plans for the reorganization of the tourism sector.”

The government would create the “Budapest DMO”, or Budapest Destination Marketing Organization, which would be responsible for the capital’s tourism-related projects and market, and the creation of the “BUDAPEST Brand.”

Natural and Cultural Heritage Office

The next interesting organization the government plans on creating is the Natural and Cultural Heritage Office, to develop the touristic capacity of Hungary’s natural and cultural assets, such as waterways, spas and agricultural products. The office would play “a significant role in coordinating gastro-tourism, e.g. wine tourism, coordination” with the Ministry of Rural Development.

Other ideas briefly mentioned in the document

The National Tourism Agency and its many little sub-organizations will also be accompanied by what the document says is “a need to completely reorganize [Hungary’s] tourism representation abroad” — that is, the government would take over this, too. The document does not go into detail regarding those plans just yet.

• Translated Articles

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel and tourism in Hungary - statistics & facts

Domestic tourism is losing its popularity, inbound tourism is recovering, accommodation establishments record peak revenues, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Travel & Tourism market revenue in Hungary 2017-2028, by segment

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Hungary 2013-2028

Gross value added (GVA) of tourism industries in Hungary 2010-2022

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

International tourist arrivals in Hungary 2009-2023

Accommodation

Tourist arrivals in accommodation in Budapest 2000-2022

Leisure Travel

Leading international tourist markets arriving in Hungary 2023

Further recommended statistics

Industry overview.

• Basic Statistic Number of foreign arrivals in tourist accommodation in CEE 2013-2022, by country
• Premium Statistic Inbound visitor growth in CEE 2020-2024
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourist arrivals growth in CEE 2021-2026, by country
• Premium Statistic Travel & Tourism market revenue in Hungary 2017-2028, by segment
• Premium Statistic Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Hungary 2013-2028
• Premium Statistic Gross value added (GVA) of tourism industries in Hungary 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Accommodation services and hospitality's share in GVA in Hungary 2015-2022

Number of foreign arrivals in tourist accommodation in CEE 2013-2022, by country

Number of international arrivals in tourist accommodation in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) from 2013 to 2022, by selected country (in millions)

Inbound visitor growth in CEE 2020-2024

Year-over-year inbound visitor growth in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Central and Baltic Europe from 2020 to 2024

Inbound tourist arrivals growth in CEE 2021-2026, by country

Forecast annual average growth rate of inbound visitor arrivals in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) from 2021 to 2026, by country of origin

Travel & Tourism market revenue in Hungary 2017-2028, by segment

Travel and tourism market revenue in Hungary 2017-2028, by segment (in million euros)

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Hungary from 2013 to 2028

Gross value added of tourism industries in Hungary from 2010 to 2022 (in billion forints)

Accommodation services and hospitality's share in GVA in Hungary 2015-2022

Accommodation services and hospitality's share in gross value added (GVA) in Hungary from 2015 to 2022

Inbound tourism

• Premium Statistic International tourist expenditure in Hungary 2009-2023
• Basic Statistic International tourist arrivals in Hungary 2009-2023
• Basic Statistic International overnight tourist arrivals in Hungary 2009-2023
• Premium Statistic International same-day tourist arrivals in Hungary 2009-2023
• Premium Statistic Leading international tourist markets arriving in Hungary 2023
• Premium Statistic Share of inbound overnight tourist trips to Hungary 2023, by region visited
• Premium Statistic Share of inbound tourist spending in Hungary 2023, by type of expense
• Premium Statistic Total number of days spent by foreigners in Hungary 2018-2023

International tourist expenditure in Hungary 2009-2023

Annual expenditure of inbound tourist arrivals in Hungary from 2009 to 2023 (in billion forints)

Number of inbound tourist trips to Hungary from 2009 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

International overnight tourist arrivals in Hungary 2009-2023

Number of inbound overnight tourist trips to Hungary from 2009 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

International same-day tourist arrivals in Hungary 2009-2023

Number of same-day inbound tourist trips to Hungary from 2009 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Leading inbound travel markets visiting Hungary in 2023, by number of arrivals (in 1,000s)

Share of inbound overnight tourist trips to Hungary 2023, by region visited

Share of inbound overnight tourist trips to Hungary in 2023, by region visited

Share of inbound tourist spending in Hungary 2023, by type of expense

Distribution of inbound tourist spending in Hungary in 2023, by type of expense

Total number of days spent by foreigners in Hungary 2018-2023

Total number of days spent by foreigners in Hungary from 1st quarter 2017 to 3rd quarter 2023 (in millions)

Domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Domestic tourist spending on overnight trips in Hungary 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of overnight domestic tourism trips in Hungary 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight tourism trips in Hungary 2023 by motivation
• Premium Statistic Nights spent on domestic trips in Hungary 2014-2023
• Premium Statistic Quarterly number of domestic overnight trips in Hungary 2019-2023, by region

Domestic tourist spending on overnight trips in Hungary 2008-2023

Annual expenditure on domestic overnight trips in Hungary from 2008 to 2023 (in billion Hungarian forints)

Number of overnight domestic tourism trips in Hungary 2008-2023

Number of overnight domestic tourism trips in Hungary from 2008 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of domestic overnight tourism trips in Hungary 2023 by motivation

Number of domestic overnight trips in Hungary in 2023, by main motivation (in 1,000s)

Nights spent on domestic trips in Hungary 2014-2023

Number of nights spent on domestic trips in Hungary from 2014 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Quarterly number of domestic overnight trips in Hungary 2019-2023, by region

Quarterly number of domestic overnight trips in Hungary from 1st quarter 2019 to 3rd quarter 2023, by region (in 1,000s)

Outbound tourism

• Premium Statistic International travel expenditure in Hungary 2012-2023
• Premium Statistic Expenditure on outbound trips made from Hungary 2023, by country of destination
• Premium Statistic Number of outbound trips from Hungary 2008-2023
• Basic Statistic Number of outbound trips made from Hungary 2023, by country of destination
• Basic Statistic Number of same-day outbound trips from Hungary 2012-2023
• Basic Statistic Number of outbound overnight trips from Hungary 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Total number of days spent abroad by Hungarians 2017-2023

International travel expenditure in Hungary 2012-2023

Annual expenditure on outbound tourism in Hungary from 2012 to 2023 (in million forints)

Expenditure on outbound trips made from Hungary 2023, by country of destination

Expenditure on outbound trips made from Hungary in 2023, by country of destination (in million forints)

Number of outbound trips from Hungary 2008-2023

Number of outbound trips from Hungary from 2008 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of outbound trips made from Hungary 2023, by country of destination

Number of outbound trips made from Hungary in 2023, by country of destination (in 1,000s)

Number of same-day outbound trips from Hungary 2012-2023

Number of same-day outbound trips made from Hungary from 2012 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of outbound overnight trips from Hungary 2012-2022

Number of outbound overnight trips from Hungary from 2012 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Total number of days spent abroad by Hungarians 2017-2023

Total number of days Hungarians spent abroad from1st quarter 2017 to 2nd quarter 2023 (in millions)

• Basic Statistic Gross revenue from commercial accommodation establishments in Hungary 2021-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of commercial travel accommodation establishments in Hungary 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Monthly number of domestic arrivals at tourist accommodation in Hungary 2021-2024
• Premium Statistic Monthly international arrivals at tourist accommodation in Hungary 2021-2024
• Basic Statistic Tourist arrivals in accommodation in Budapest 2000-2022
• Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals in accommodation in Budapest 2000-2022
• Basic Statistic Hotel revenue per available room in Budapest 2015-2023
• Premium Statistic Class distribution of hotel rooms in Budapest, Hungary 2023

Gross revenue from commercial accommodation establishments in Hungary 2021-2022

Gross revenue from commercial accommodation establishments in Hungary from 2021 to 2022 (in million forints)

Number of commercial travel accommodation establishments in Hungary 2022, by type

Number of commercial travel accommodation establishments operating in Hungary in 2022, by type

Monthly number of domestic arrivals at tourist accommodation in Hungary 2021-2024

Monthly number of domestic arrivals at tourist accommodation establishments in Hungary from January 2021 to January 2024 (in 1,000s)

Monthly international arrivals at tourist accommodation in Hungary 2021-2024

Monthly number of international arrivals at tourist accommodation establishments in Hungary from January 2021 to January 2024 (in 1,000s)

Number of tourist arrivals in accommodation establishments in Budapest, Hungary from 2000 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

International tourist arrivals in accommodation in Budapest 2000-2022

Number of international tourist arrivals in accommodation establishments in Budapest, Hungary from 2000 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Hotel revenue per available room in Budapest 2015-2023

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) in hotels in Budapest, Hungary, from 2015 to 2023 (in euros)

Class distribution of hotel rooms in Budapest, Hungary 2023

Class distribution of hotel rooms in Budapest, Hungary in 2023

Wellness tourism

• Premium Statistic Expenditure of inbound wellness trips in Hungary 2017-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound wellness trips in Hungary 2017-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of overnight domestic wellness trips in Hungary 2015-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of baths offering wellness treatment in Hungary 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of bath visitors in Hungary 2010-2022

Expenditure of inbound wellness trips in Hungary 2017-2023

Expenditure of inbound wellness trips in Hungary from 2017 to 2023 (in million forints)

Number of inbound wellness trips in Hungary 2017-2023

Number of inbound wellness trips in Hungary from 2017 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of overnight domestic wellness trips in Hungary 2015-2023

Number of overnight domestic wellness trips in Hungary from 2015 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of baths offering wellness treatment in Hungary 2010-2022

Number of baths offering wellness treatment in Hungary from 2010 to 2022

Number of bath visitors in Hungary 2010-2022

Number of bath visitors in Hungary from 2010 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Travel behavior

• Premium Statistic Frequency of traveling for personal purposes in Hungary 2023
• Premium Statistic Frequency of traveling for business purposes in Hungary 2023
• Premium Statistic Share of population booking travel products in Hungary 2023
• Premium Statistic Share of population booking travel products online in Hungary 2023

Frequency of traveling for personal purposes in Hungary 2023

How often have you traveled for private purposes in the past 12 months?

Frequency of traveling for business purposes in Hungary 2023

How often have you traveled for business purposes in the past 12 months?

Share of population booking travel products in Hungary 2023

Which of these travel products have you booked in the past 12 months?

Share of population booking travel products online in Hungary 2023

Which of these travel products have you booked online (website or app) in the past 12 months?

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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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

Association of Hungarian Travel Agencies

Representing quality in tourism for over 50 years.

The Association of Hungarian Travel Agencies, MUISZ, has been representing the interests of its members and tourism industry stakeholders since its foundation in 1974.

The significant role of MUISZ is proven by the fact that its two hundred members’ business activity covers over 80% of organized tourism in Hungary.

All major tour operators are among the members as well as small travel agencies.

Besides lobbying, MUISZ organizes events such as lectures and seminars for tourism professionals and communicates to the public and the press.

Judit Molnár President of  MUISZ

     Mail:     [email protected]

Professional workshop,

where demands, experiences, questions and suggestions of travel agents amalgamate. MUISZ undertakes solution seeking and problem solving role to dissolve problems and contradictions affecting the industry, and helps its members by sharing advice and best practice. MUISZ provides studies and study tours, organizes trainings, and arranges discounts to its members. MUISZ compiles professional analyses of subjects that matter to its members.

Voice of the travel trade,

that makes itself heard at every relevant professional forum. MUISZ has visibly strenghtened its lobby power, and has succeeded to achieve its goals with the goverment and other professional associations, voicing its positions on several matters. MUISZ communicates with the consumer, too, to increase the audience’s awareness and education when it comes to travel matters.

Guarantee of quality,

since all of its members must comply with all legal requirements in Hungary, and must abide by strict ethics of the organization, showing respect and correctness towards customers and competitors alike. Although MUISZ does not operate a quality seal system, its name and logo represent quality on its members portals.

of many capable, experienced and committed professionals who do their voluntary work for MUISZ. In an unbiased opinion, tourism is a profession that does not let you go, once you fall for it, and there aren’t many trades operating almost like a big circle of friends, that have their moments of joy, sadness and anger, but stick together.

MUISZ has seen a lot since its foundation in 1974. One thing has not changed: its commitment to improve the legal and economical environment of its members, and the urge for constant development and sharing practice.

MUISZ encourages all those travel agents who are not members yet, to join our Association, use the knowledge base, profit of the lobby activities, and enjoy being a member of this welcoming and innovative community.

It is good to be a member of MUISZ.

Judit Molnár President

Our international partners

B2B website

Welcome to the b2b website of the visithungary national tourism organization.

We work internationally to promote Hungary as a colorful and safe travel destination. On this website we provide all the necessary information for your business to get to know our beautiful country and everything it has to offer. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us, we’re more than happy to help!

Our motivation and purpose can be best described as follows: “We want to share our passion for Hungary.” It is our firm conviction that our mission as players in the tourism and hospitality sector, is “to tell the story of Hungary, and to contribute to the growth of the nation through the development of tourism.”

We look forward to welcoming you and your customers to our beautiful country, Hungary!

Contacts of Budapest Convention Bureau

Qualified partners.

The Qualified Partner Program, as established by the Hungarian Tourism Agency, aims to ensure closer cooperation with top quality Hungarian service providers.

All about Hungary

Act now and visit Hungary and its capital, Budapest! Add to your list the lake Balaton, and the world famous hungarian thermal bathes. Apply our website to plan your trip.

Budapest Convention Bureau

The aim of Budapest Convention Bureau is to increase the number of international conferences, congresses and other business events held in Budapest and Hungary.

How to get to Hungary

Hungary is a country in Central Europe, bordering with seven countries: Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Ukraine and Slovakia. It is easily accessible by air, land or water transport.

Hungarian Conservative

2023 tourism figures surpass pre-pandemic records in hungary.

József Balaton/MTVA/MTI

• Ádám Bráder
• — 25.01.2024

During a press conference held on Thursday in Budapest President of the Board of Directors of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ) Zoltán Guller presented an annual report based on preliminary data, highlighting that in the past year, Hungarian tourism not only exceeded the results of 2022 but also reached, and at times surpassed, the figures from the record-breaking year of 2019.

Guller emphasized that nearly 16 million tourists spent over 41 million guest nights in Hungary last year, and the revenues of the hospitality sector saw a double-digit growth, surpassing inflation.

Hungarian accommodation providers registered 1.3 million more guest nights in 2023 compared to 2022,

which is a remarkable achievement given that international conflicts were estimated to have reduced guest nights by one million.

The total revenue of accommodation establishments reached 860 billion Hungarian forints, representing a 23 per cent increase compared to 2022. Guests spent 18 per cent more at hospitality establishments, amounting to 1,780 billion forints.

Following the success of 2023, the tourism sector is expected to embark on a sustained growth trajectory this year, as highlighted by Zoltán Guller. He also pointed out that according to a recent report from the World Tourism Organization, the pace of recovery in Hungary is higher than the global average, which supports the restoration of economic growth.

Guller stated that the results, as indicated by data from the National Tourism Data Reporting Centre,

were primarily attributed to a significant revival in international inbound tourism.

The influx of 7.1 million guests from abroad marked an 18 per cent increase. The strengthening of tourist traffic in the capital was particularly impressive, with Budapest accounting for 59 per cent of foreign accommodation stays, registering 11.7 million guest nights, a significant 19 per cent increase compared to 2022.

The most popular domestic tourist region, Lake Balaton, not only excelled during the summer peak season but also exceeded the results of the entire year, with a nine per cent increase over the record-breaking year of 2019, totalling 3 million guest nights. Guller noted that

during the summer, there were eight guests for every resident at Lake Balaton.

The success was also fuelled by the SZÉP card, a key player in domestic tourism, contributing significantly with historical highs in both card top-ups (445 billion HUF) and expenditures (449 billion HUF) in 2023.

László Könnyid, the CEO of MTÜ, mentioned that this year, in line with international trends, a complete restructuring of inbound tourism to pre-pandemic levels is expected. Their projections indicate a realistic target of reaching 43 million guest nights by 2024. MTÜ’s goal is to have 20 million guests spend 50 million guest nights in Hungary annually by 2030, with the tourism sector contributing at least 16 per cent to the GDP.

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Sources: Hungarian Conservative/MTÜ/MTI

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New Dutch Right-Wing Government Forms — Geert Wilders Vows ‘Strictest Asylum Policy Ever’

Hungary Is about to Deliver a Long-Awaited, Meaningful EU Presidency

• Tags: accomodation , Budapest , ceremony , data , dedication , economy , EU , Europe , experiences , growth , Hungarian Tourism Agency , Hungary , Hungary news , inflation , MTÜ , numbers , record , revenue , tourism , Zoltán Guller

MCC Takes Legal Action to Defend Free Speech Against Mayor Who Banned Brussels Conference

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• CHINA VOICES
• BELT AND ROAD
• INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES
• WHITE PAPERS
• CHINA FACTS

Xinhua | May 13, 2024

"I went to China this time with a special thing: a passport without any visa on it," exclaimed Lucas Deckers, a Belgian in his 20s, on the Chinese video-sharing platform Douyin, with a picture showing him waving his burgundy travel document.

Since earlier this year, China has implemented a visa-free policy that exempts many European ordinary passport holders from the time-consuming and costly obligation, encouraging travelers from nearly a dozen European countries to explore this Asian country.

In a further move, Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his first European tour in nearly five years last week, announced that China has decided to extend visa exemption entry for citizens from 12 countries, 11 of them in Europe, on short-term visits to China until the end of 2025.

The policy, geared towards fostering interactions among Chinese and international citizens, has garnered widespread acclaim in Europe and is expected to improve relations between China and Europe in many ways.

Tourists pick cherries at a cherry orchard in Taishan Village of Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

DOOR OPENING WIDER

The extended policy allows ordinary passport holders of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, to enter and stay in China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit.

In a post on social media, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said the visa-free policy was "good news" for Hungarian tourists and business travelers heading for China.

As a matter of reciprocity, Hungarian authorities are issuing long-term visas, already at the first application, for managers of big Chinese companies undertaking investments in Hungary, he added.

These decisions will further strengthen cooperation between Hungary and China in the areas of economy and tourism, the top diplomat noted.

Mario Boselli, chairman of the Italy China Council Foundation, said the new visa-free policy indicates that China's door is opening wider, and will facilitate economic, trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The visa-free policy for Spanish citizens represents "a significant milestone" in bilateral ties, said Jose Felix Valdivieso, chairman of IE University's China Center, which aims to promote educational and business cooperation between the two countries.

"It encourages a greater flow of people between China and Spain, enriching our societies with a diversity of perspectives and experiences," Valdivieso said, dubbing this move as "a catalyst for further growth and collaboration."

BOOST FOR TOURISM

Thanks to the policy, Jerome Pouille, a French panda-lover, easily arranged a China trip this spring to visit Yuan Meng, the first giant panda born in France. Last July, Yuan Meng was sent back to China's Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Seeing Yuan Meng living well in its hometown, Pouille felt "happy and satisfied."

The visa-free policy serves as an impetus for numerous European travelers to embark on exploratory journeys throughout China, and is perceived by European tour operators as a stimulus for tourism.

Gunther Gruber, senior consultant of the Austrian KUONI travel agency, said he is very happy that China has introduced the 15-day visa-free policy for Austria.

"China has always been one of the most visited tourist destinations for Austrians... We are now planning travel plans for the spring and summer of 2025 and will launch more travel products about China," Gruber said.

Tourists visit a night market at Chengguan District in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, April 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

For many Europeans, visiting China is a complex thing. They have to plan ahead, manage their finances, and set aside time in advance.

"That's great if you don't have visa issues to worry about. This is very useful," said Davide Cougoule, senior manager of Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation, a Swiss tourism promotion association.

According to the Geneva office of Air China, the national carrier of China, following the visa exemption, there has been an average of 50 Swiss travelers on each Geneva-Beijing flight, constituting approximately 25 percent of all passengers.

Air China's figures also show that in March 2024, a total of 6,364 passengers traveled between Geneva and Beijing, up 374.9 percent from a year earlier.

According to Ralph Ossa, chief economist of the World Trade Organization (WTO), China's visa-free policy for European countries and the recovery of Chinese outbound tourism are conducive to global service trade.

A visitor (C) watches the making of jasmine tea at Fuzhou Jasmine Culture Experience Hall in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

BRIDGE FOR EXCHANGES

Barely two weeks after the policy took effect, the Chinese Language and Culture Center in Luxembourg organized a spring camp to visit China during the Easter holiday in April.

More than 20 Luxembourg students visited Beijing, Shanghai and other places in China, with some of them joining the camp just several days before departure, as the visa-free policy made the trip easier.

"This travel facilitation will encourage more Luxembourg citizens to travel to China and help strengthen people-to-people and commercial exchanges between our two countries," said Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's deputy prime minister, in a statement.

The visa-free policy, a tangible move of China in pushing for high-level opening-up, has infused momentum into the exchanges between China and Europe.

During his official visit to China in April, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the German side appreciates China's visa-free entry policy for Germany and is willing to make it more convenient for Chinese citizens to visit Germany.

The policy has received an enthusiastic response from all walks of life in Austria, said Ernst Woller, president of the State Parliament of Vienna.

Tourists visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, May 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

This measure will "definitely facilitate Austrian people to travel to China, strengthen personnel exchanges between the two countries, and further promote Austria-China relations and the exchanges between the two countries," Woller said.

During the first quarter of 2024, Chinese immigration management agencies processed over 141 million traveler trips. Among them, trips by foreign nationals reached 13.1 million, a year-on-year increase of 305.2 percent, said the National Immigration Administration (NIA) of China.

"The visa-free policy not only streamlines entry and departure, but also symbolizes China's warmer embrace of foreign travelers," said Deckers, already a Chinese-speaking influencer on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

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