Tourism in Hungary at huge risk: proposed changes threaten Danube’s future

The National Association of Hungarian Shipping and the Association of Passenger Boaters are opposing the suggested amendments to the Danube Coast Building Code. They request the Municipality of Budapest to engage in genuine consultations with stakeholders.

According to 444, lessening ports as proposed may inflict damage on tourism, Hungary’s national economy and nearly 10,000 jobs tied to passenger shipping in Hungary. Moreover, they claim that the intended re-development of harbours might endanger traffic safety, escalate noise and air contamination, and highlight differences in port numbers reported.

More than 30 companies are running floating facilities in Budapest such as tourist season cruises, sightseeing cruises, and cruises with year-round programs. Such activities bring about a big flow of traffic on the Danube in the capital city. In Budapest alone, 24 companies operate over 40 vessels. Last year, over 80% of the total number of tourists who visited Budapest, which was around 5 million people, equivalent to around 4 million passengers participated in sightseeing cruises.

The Municipality of Budapest proposed amendments to the Danube Riverfront Building Code (DÉSZ) in February, giving stakeholders a mere two weeks to review this extensive, over 1,000-page document. The draft proposes removing boats from the city centre completely and decreasing the 24 berths on the New Port waterfront to just 9, which would be intended only for loading and unloading activities.

Approximately 45 passenger vessels that are presently docked there would be allowed to halt solely at these ports before embarking, for passenger pick-up and drop-off purposes. Ships that are empty of people will be sent towards ports outside the centre, where there may not be enough infrastructure. This could include things like electricity, drinking water, parking facilities and transportation access which could potentially impact hotel ships as well.

The Municipality of Budapest wants to send vehicles not allowed in the city towards suburban marinas and a port located in District XIII, where passenger vessels are already present. However, this idea makes people worry about more noise and air pollution for those living there because vehicles will depend only on their generators.

Photo: FB/Mahart Passnave

The reaction to the Danube changes

Opponents of the idea say that getting rid of ports is not necessary because there are no other options on the Danube stretch of Budapest. Mihály Tóth, who speaks for the National Association of Hungarian Shipping (MAHOSZ) stated that fewer ports will cause problems for shipping companies and hotel ships. It could make costs go up and might make smaller operators have to find ports far away.

This might lead to more pollution and crowding and it can also make passenger ship operators change their schedules towards places like Vienna or Bratislava which are more dependable options. Furthermore, the change may create risks for Budapest’s public transport firm BKV, which runs passenger vessels on the Danube River.

Judit Kanel, who serves as the vice president of the Association of Hungarian Tour Operators, stated that having ports which are simple to reach is very crucial for tour operators who make plans one year in advance. She cautions that altering the Danube Riverfront Building Code without appropriate discussion might significantly disturb the Danube cruise programs and group travel, which are crucial for touristic movements.

This could reduce Budapest‘s attractiveness to tourists in comparison with Vienna and Bratislava. Imre Horváth, a boat captain, expressed anxiety that limiting boats to the outer bank of the Danube may escalate traffic, contamination and hazard issues.

The organisations requested the Municipal Assembly to postpone voting on the draft and have an open discussion with all those involved. They invite authorities from the Mayor’s Office and members of the Municipal Assembly for a talk about their worries. Moreover, the National Association of Hungarian Shipping and the Association of Passenger Boaters declared that they are planning a big demonstration on the Danube River on the 20th of April.

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