Balaton Wines Visitor Center inaugurated – PHOTOS

The Balaton Wines Visitor Center was inaugurated in Balatonszőlős, close to the shore of Lake Balaton, on Thursday.

Balaton Wines Visitor Center opens

Hungary’s tourism sector continues to break records, with its direct and indirect contribution to the national economy now exceeding 13%. The Balaton region plays a central role in this growth, said Márton Nagy, Minister of National Economy, at the official opening of the Balaton Wines Visitor Center in Balatonszőlős. He emphasized the growing importance of wine tourism in the area.

Speaking about the region’s performance, the minister highlighted that in 2023, Lake Balaton attracted 3.2 million visitors—an increase of 7.5% from the previous year. Overnight stays rose by 4% to 9.1 million, while annual accommodation revenues reached HUF 200 billion (approx. EUR 515 million), marking a 14% year-on-year increase. “Year after year, Balaton continues to break its own tourism records,” Nagy said.

In the first four months of 2025, the region welcomed over 542,000 guests—8% more than during the same period last year. The number of international visitors is also steadily increasing, along with their purchasing power. “It’s no surprise that five-star hotels and world-class restaurants are opening up in the area, helping to elevate Lake Balaton to the global stage,” he added.

Nagy pointed out that more than 70 wineries have already joined the new initiative, which is set to further boost the region’s appeal. He described the Balaton Wines Visitor Center as a significant and innovative project on a national level, combining high-quality wine tourism, gastronomy, and experiential hospitality.

The new center could also help address several challenges faced by Hungarian wine producers, Nagy noted. Among these, he identified increasing the export of bottled wines as the most pressing issue. In 2023, Hungary exported a record 1.4 million hectoliters of wine—two-thirds of which was bulk wine. “We must increase the share of bottled wine exports, and the Hungarian government is committed to supporting this goal,” he stated.

He also expressed his gratitude to Miklós Forrai and Krisztina Forrai Kovács, founders of Casa Christa in Balatonszőlős and initiators of the new center. He praised their decades-long contribution to Hungarian tourism and gastronomy, calling their latest endeavor a model for uniting the region’s winemakers.

Pál Rókusfalvy, Government Commissioner for National Wine Marketing, noted that the Balaton wine region plays a major role in the National Wine Marketing Strategy. He highlighted the area’s unique volcanic soils, its internationally recognized Olaszrizling wines, and its youth-focused “Summer of Bubbles” campaign.

A New tourism hub in Balatonszőlős

At the opening ceremony, Péter Princzinger, CEO of VisitBalaton365, emphasized the value of tourism development projects that connect existing resources—such as wineries, gastronomy providers, and local producers—just as much as real estate and construction investments.

“I’m convinced that the Balaton Wines Visitor Center will become a flagship attraction visible from hundreds of kilometers away and a powerful magnet for visitors,” he declared.

In a statement to MTI, Krisztina Forrai Kovács explained that the visitor center—dedicated to showcasing Balaton wines—was self-funded with the support of professional partners. The building, which also houses a guesthouse, was initially leased but was purchased at the end of last year. She estimated there are between 100–120 winemakers in the region, most of whom showed enthusiastic support for the new initiative. To date, 75 have joined, and more are expected to follow.

As highlighted at the ceremony, the year-round visitor center offers a comprehensive overview of the Balaton wine region in one location. Multilingual programs aim to make Balaton’s wine culture accessible to international visitors as well.

By bringing together local winemakers, the center fills a key gap in the region’s tourism offering—providing guided tastings, sommelier training, professional workshops, wine purchasing opportunities, and collaborations with local gastronomy and producers.

HERE you may read more about Lake Balaton.

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• Beyond Lake Balaton and Tisza: 5 underrated Hungarian lakes to visit this summer