Formula 1 Weekend Draws Record Number of Tourists

During this year’s Formula 1 race weekend, nearly 100,000 guests stayed in hotels in the Hungarian capital, with occupancy rates exceeding 86 percent. Most international visitors came from the United Kingdom, Poland, and Germany for the 40th anniversary Hungarian Grand Prix, held between August 1 and 3.

96,000 guests spent a total of 180,000 guest nights in Budapest hotels – a 17% and 15% increase, respectively, compared to last year’s race weekend, Visit Hungary revealed on Wednesday, based on data from the National Tourism Data Supply Center (NTAK). Of those staying in accommodations, 91 percent were foreign visitors.

International tourist traffic surpassed last year’s already high levels by 20 percent.

Hotels in Budapest were nearly at full capacity: lower-category hotels were completely booked, while three-star hotels reached nearly 88% occupancy. Due to the higher demand, average room prices doubled compared to the previous weekend.

After the British, the largest number of foreign visitors came from Poland and Germany, with the United States and Romania also ranking high among the top nationalities represented.

In the towns surrounding the Hungaroring – such as Mogyoród, Gödöllő, Kerepes, Veresegyház, and Nagytarcsa – the number of guests increased three and a half times, while the number of guest nights rose sixfold compared to the previous weekend.

The statement quotes Olivér Csendes, CEO of NTAK, who said that this year’s Formula 1 greatly contributed to further strengthening Budapest’s tourism brand. The national marketing organization supported the event through social media campaigns and by offering leisure tips outside of the race program, while also providing informational materials and publications to 21 hotels in Budapest.

Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Vasvári Tamás