Tourism is on an upward trajectory, and if conditions do not deteriorate, the sector's performance in 2023 could break records.Continue reading
Beaches across the country are full again on the last long weekend in May. According to the National Tourist Information Center (NTAK), more than 420,000 nights have already been booked for Pentecost. According to the NTAK’s advance bookings, more people will be traveling this weekend than this time last year, reports Világgazdaság.
Rural accommodation can expect nearly 70 percent of incoming guest-traffic, while more than 30 percent of advance bookings are in the capital. Among both domestic and international tourists, Lake Balaton is the most popular rural destination.
The trend of the first third of the year continues into the long weekend at the end of May, with international tourism outstripping domestic tourism.
“Compared to the previous year, we are now seeing 7% more foreign bookings than before the holiday,” said Szabolcs Juhász, MTÜ’s professional director. Competitors and fans coming to Budapest for the Europa League final at the end of the month will also contribute to another strong May, he added.
Thanks to the NTAK, which has been operational since 2019, industry players can now have an accurate picture of the performance of accommodation providers, changes in travel trends, and the evolution of pre-booking figures. It shows that 37% of long weekend bookings were made by foreigners and 63% by nationals. One third of Pentecost bookings were made in the capital and two thirds in rural areas. While 67% of bookings in Budapest are made by foreigners, the reverse is true in the countryside, where 77% of bookings in destinations outside the capital are made by Hungarians.
According to the European Travel Commission, the organization that brings together Europe’s tourism agencies, waterfront holidays are the most popular leisure activity for European tourists, followed by city breaks and visits to cultural and heritage sites. In line with this, the trend among both domestic and foreign tourists is that after Budapest, the most sought-after destinations are rural towns and villages that also offer a spa experience. Foreigners will mainly spend their holidays in Hévíz, Bük, Siófok, and Hajdúszoboszló. On the other hand, fellow Hungarians prefer Balatonfüred, Siófok, Hajdúszoboszló, and Zalakaros to Budapest.
Favorable weather conditions are expected to boost booking activity over last year.
via Világgazdaság, Featured image: Facebook/Szeretlek Balaton (Gábor Báló)
