Budapest hosts 23rd European Tourism Forum, highlighting sector’s vital role in economic growth

Budapest hosted the 23rd European Tourism Forum, the highest-level tourism trade event of Hungary’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, on Wednesday.

Closing the forum, László Könnyid, the head of the Hungarian Tourism Agency, said the event had been “successful” and “important” for government and market players in the European tourism sector.

He noted that tourism had become one of the most important engines of economic growth in the EU and in Hungary.

The sector accounts for close to 13pc of Hungary’s GDP, while over 10pc of budget revenue comes from taxes on consumption and labour related to tourism, he said. While strengthening competitiveness is the priority of Hungary’s EU presidency, the forum also addressed climate change, sustainability and the use of artificial intelligence. Konnyid said participants were in agreement on the need for precise data to manage issues such as over-tourism.

He added that their work could contribute to maintaining tourism’s important economic role while advocating a vision of sustainable, digital and people-focused tourism in Europe. Marie-Helene Pradines, a head of unit at the European Commission, said many important matters had been discussed at the conference which she termed a success. She added that a solution needed to be found for the labour shortage in Europe’s tourism industry. Eduardo Santander, the head of the European Travel Commission, said the performance of the tourism sector was “outstanding” in 2024, in spite of the geopolitical challenges.

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