Hungarian Baths Are Key Players in the Country’s Tourism

On average, domestic bath admission fees rose by five percent this year, a fraction of the price increases in previous years. However, social health insurance subsidies for spa treatments need to be increased, as rising co-payments are making such treatments unaffordable for an increasing number of people. The turnover of domestic spas is steadily rising, foreign tourists are increasing and competing with neighboring countries, and many new spa developments are taking place in the region, reports Világgazdaság.

The Hungarian Bathing Association held a press conference on the launch of this year’s bathing season and the bathing programs planned for the year, on the occasion of the upcoming World Water Day on March 22, for which they are also preparing with various promotions.

The figures clearly show that the Hungarian baths are key players in Hungarian tourism and a factor influencing travel decisions.

In 2024, the number of visitors increased by just five percent compared to the previous year, said Péter Zámbori, vice-president of the Hungarian Bathing Association. He added that the number of spa visits for therapeutic purposes in particular has lagged behind, because not everyone can afford the increasing co-payment of 80,000-160,000 forints (200-400 euros), and the state has been providing the same amount for 13 years for spa treatments subsidized by the health insurance system.

So far, the number of visitors to spas has not reached the record number from 2019, with an average of 10 percent less than in 2019. However, net revenue from spa services has risen sharply since 2019.

This year, there will be a smaller increase in prices at spas than in previous years, with admissions rising by five percent. However, the average net price per person has increased exponentially compared to 2019, rising 75 percent by 2024. Translated into numbers, this means that the average net price in 2019, was around 2,300 forints (5.75 euros), while now it will be close to 4,000 forints (10 euros).

Hungarian spas are not considered expensive in the region, with the average admission fees in Slovakia and Romania at 15 euros, while in Austria, there are examples of 38 euro admissions only three kilometers from the border.

Hungarian baths are one of the main motives for 70-80% of foreigners’ travel decisions, and developments are no longer typically aimed at increasing the number of spas, but at improving attractions,

the vice-president concluded.

It is a difficult decision for the owners whether to operate the baths on a social or economic basis. In the former case, they have to supplement operating costs, in the latter case not everyone can go in. In Budapest, the Zsigmondy card is being used to address the issue in the interest of locals so that they are not squeezed out of historic spas. However, the spa sector finally has government representation in the person of Róbert Láng, the ministerial commissioner for the health industry and health tourism, which can speed up negotiations and decision-making processes, said Zoltán Balogh, secretary general of the Hungarian Bathing Association.

It is also very important to raise awareness of bathing culture, prevention, and getting young people into the habit of bathing, for which many actions and cooperation activities have been launched.

Inflation and its effects must continue to be taken into account, and solutions must also be found to manage the additional costs of high energy prices. In addition to rising maintenance and operating costs, the challenge of retaining the number of guests is increasing, driven by the high treatment prices mentioned above.

Via Világgazdaság, Featured photo via Wikipedia