Domestic tourism expands, but the most popular destinations are still the same

Domestic tourism has increased by 8.3 % in the first quarter. On average, 36,730 forints (113 euros) were spent on a reservation, while the busiest day was during the long weekend in March.

According to a survey by szallas.hu, longer breaks are becoming more and more popular, four out of five reservations were made for one or two nights.

The average reservation value is 36,730 forints, around the same as last year, the greater part falling into the category of 0-50 thousand forints.

Forbes said, the most significant change is noticeable in the case of 4- and 5-star hotels, with nearly 20 thousand fewer forints spent on a booking. Every 10th booking is paid by SZÉP-card. The average value of these payments is 55,480 forints. In terms of the type of accommodation, half of all bookings were made to apartments, pensions and guesthouses. As the number of group travellers and experience seekers is growing, pre-bookings are also set earlier.

No change in the list of the most popular places

In terms of counties, the highest number of bookings were made in Pest (17%) and Heves (10.7%) during the period from January to March.

Budapest, Eger and Hajdúszoboszló are still on the top; those are the most visited destinations in the first quarter too

Eger castle, Hungary, photo: MTI

Pécs, Szeged, Debrecen and Gyula are coming to follow, then Hévíz, Siófok and Zalakaros are closing the top-ten list.

Among tourist attractions, Miskolctapolca, Barlangfürdő, the castle of Eger and Siklós are in the first rank, but the Thermal Spa of Harkány and the Lake Hévíz are closely following too. As for outbound travellers, Zakopane, Donovaly and Kraków came out on top.

According to statistics, the capital will keep its leading position as the most popular domestic choice in the second quarter too.

After Budapest, Eger, Siofok, Hajduszoboszlo and Gyula are expected to have the highest appeal.

“Many are heading to beloved spa towns as well as to Lake Balaton, or opting for outdoor leisure activities” – according to the sources of Forbes. After leaving the country borders Hungarian tourists are most likely to head to Zakopane, Kraków or Torockó (Transylvania).

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Top 10 internal place (last year’s ranking is in brackets)

Budapest (1.)
Eger (2.)
Hajduszoboszló (3.)
Pécs (5.)
Szeged (4.)
Debrecen (6.)
Gyula (8.)
Héviz (7.)
Siófok (-)
Zalakaros (10.)

Top 10 foreign places (last year’s ranking is in brackets)

Zakopane (1.)
Donovaly (3.)
Kraków (2.)
Wisła (-)
Karpacz (5.)
Prague (9.)
Wrocław (4.)
Białka Tatrzańska (10.)
Warsaw (-)
Szklarska Poręba (-)

Top 10 tourist attraction (last year’s ranking is in brackets)

Miskolctapolca Cave Bath (2.)
Eger Castle (1.)
Siklós Castle (5.)
Harkány Thermal Spa (6.)
Lake Hévíz (3.)
Hagymatikum Thermal Bath of Makó (-)
Zalakaros Thermal Bath (4.)
Festetics Castle (7.)
Szent Erzsébet Spa (-)
Glass Manufacture of Parádsasvár (-)

Accommodation type ratio among all bookings (%)

4-5-star hotel (22%)
3-star (20%)
Apartment (20%)
Pension (16%)
Guesthouse (15%)
Motel+other (4%)
2-star hotel (3%)

translated by Hajnalka Szalmasi

Source: forbes.hu