Domestic vacations in Hungary on the rise in 2021

Sponsored content

According to the economic portal G7, tourist expenditures in Hungary in 2020 declined by half what it was the previous year. This means the country has lost at least HUF 1 trillion (EUR 2.7 billion). As a result, the country still faces severe economic consequences. The main visiting countries are Austria, Germany, Slovakia, and Romania. The report shows that spending in these countries fell by almost half.

The decline has been 60-70 percent for most distant European countries, while it’s even worse for non-European countries. 

Domestic Tourism Will Rise Like a Phoenix in Hungary

However, there’s a current shift in travel habits, and the  Hungarian tourism Industry could rise. Several studies continue to prove that Hungarians have embraced domestic travel due to the complexities of traveling right now.

Everguest, a consulting company, recently studied the travel habits of TRKI adult Hungarians. Participants in the sample were those who had taken a multi-day domestic or international tourist trip at least once in the past two years. 

If the coronavirus epidemic ends in 2021, 71.7 percent of respondents plan to fly: 10.7% plan to travel internationally, 40.2 percent plan to travel domestically, and 20.8 percent plan to travel both internationally and domestically for a holiday of at least one night away from home. In contrast, 18.4% of people are adamantly opposed to traveling, while 9.8% are undecided about their holiday plans.

In 2021, Budapest could welcome more than 1 million domestic visitors

Budapest is the city that suffered a tremendous loss due to the missing tourists in the report. International tourists make up 89 percent of Budapest travelers, while domestic visitors make up 11 percent. Restaurants in the capital have been on the slide for more than a year due to the pandemic. Even so, Miklós Belán(CEO Everguest) expects a positive turnaround this year.

“In terms of tourism and hospitality in Budapest, there is never a shortage of opportunities to cater to domestic customers. According to the findings, nearly every fifth Hungarian visitor would like to visit Budapest for leisure in the current scenario. If travel companies plan suitable activities and cultural programs, nearly 20%  of local guests will visit Budapest. That means Budapest will receive over 1 million Hungarian domestic visitors this year, but this will necessitate the due collaboration of technical and government organizations.” Says Miklós Belán.

Hungarian Guests expect more cultural Programs  

Further,  the report says about two-thirds of those polled expressed an interest in visiting Budapest for cultural activities. The baths came in second, with gastronomy coming in last. More than a third of those who do not want to spend their holiday in Budapest this year said that appropriate cultural programs will still entice them to come to Budapest to rest. Overall, we might argue that the most pressing challenge is implementing relevant policies and high-profile communication. This would be the most reasonable means of boosting tourism in the capital.

Traveling to the capital will cost less

Expenses for travel in Budapest will almost certainly change. Due to covid, many hotels and restaurants have had to close permanently, resulting in a decrease in supply. Similarly, hotels and restaurants must adapt to lower demand as a result of a smaller foreign clientele. As a result, most service providers will charge less.

“Accommodations must also adjust to changing demand to have decent value for money. We should also look at fantastic stories from other countries. For instance, Vienna gives domestic visitors a fixed price for lodging, while Russia reimburses 20% of domestic travel costs.” says Miklós Belán.

Nonetheless, domestic traffic will not replace previous traffic because foreign visitors make up a significant part of Budapest’s clientele. But with appropriate legislation, it could be possible to relaunch the capital’s tourism and hotel and industries that depend on visitors – the expert adds.

International Travelers Are Attracted by Low-Cost Flights

While this article focuses on domestic tourism, Europe is now opening up to international travel as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and budget airlines are expected to recoup their losses through attractive deals. It’s fair to say Budapest is one of Europe’s undisputed party capitals. It has a thriving bar and club scene and is also known for its eclectic range of cafes, restaurants, and bars. Not surprisingly there are budget flights to Budapest from any European country. Moving around with your bags, sports equipment, and musical instruments, on the other hand, is a real pain, and budget flights have strict baggage restrictions. Private luggage shipping has developed as an alternative within Europe and now serves Budapest as well. It means you arrange for a pick-up before you leave and have your luggage delivered directly to your hotel room. Using these services goes a long way to free your tour and make traveling much more enjoyable.