Local services
The Hungarian capital is among Europe’s most popular business tourism destinations, but demand is also growing outside Budapest, especially during the peak spring and autumn seasons, MTI cited an analysis by the Hungarian Tourism Agency.
In May this year, for example, hotel turnover in Debrecen increased (+9 per cent) as well as in Visegrád, which grew 12 per cent, a rate well above the national average compared to last year, the MTÜ said, citing data from the National Tourism Data Service Centre.
They added that new conference venues and developments could further boost rural business tourism.
According to the latest international research, the demand for leisure activities and local gastronomic products during business trips is increasing. Hungary’s cultural heritage, quality wine and culinary offer, spas and thermal baths provide a range of quality experiences throughout the year for business tourists who are open to recharging their batteries and spending active time, they said.
Following COVID-19, hotels and hotel conference venues are again enjoying a renaissance, and the role of sports venues is also gaining ground. This also benefits destinations outside Budapest, where the quality of accommodation and MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) infrastructure has grown significantly in recent years. This year alone, 17 new hotels with more than 800 rooms have opened in the countryside, 10 of them in the top category.
Among others, the four-star business hotel in Debrecen, which is a conference centre, has been renovated, and several new upscale hotels with event capacities have been built or re-entered the market.
According to a recent survey by the Budapest Convention Bureau, which is responsible for marketing and stimulating the MICE market within the MTÜ, the most popular conference cities last year were Kecskemét, Visegrád, Szeged, Debrecen and Eger.
Last year, for example, Debrecen recorded more overnight stays in May than in June and more overnight stays in October than in the previous autumn month.
According to the data, hotel revenues in Visegrád, Kecskemét, Eger, Debrecen, and Győr also exceeded those of July, the peak holiday season, last October, which was clearly due to conferences and business tourism, which provided higher profitability, the agency’s analysis found.
Source: dehir.hu
