Hungarian Spa Association: Entrance tickets will moderately increase this year

The number of visitors to spas in Hungary is expected to climb over the record in 2019, officials of the Hungarian Spa Association said at a press conference in the capital on Wednesday. According to the association, the entrance ticket price will increase moderately this year, the average rate in that regard will be around +5%.

Hungarian Spa Association: 2019 record not reached in 2023

Péter Zámbori, the deputy head of the association, said visitor numbers had risen 5pc in 2024 over the 33 million in 2023. That number was still around 10pc lower than in 2019, the year before the pandemic, he added.

Revenue of spas reached HUF 238bn in 2023. Data from 2024 are still not available. Net admission fees averaged almost HUF 4,000 in 2024 (EUR 10), well over the HUF 2,300 in 2019.

Entrance tickets will cost more in 2025

According to the association, the entrance ticket price will increase moderately this year, the average rate, in that regard, will be around +5%. They also said that the Hungarian spas are among the cheapest ones in the region. The Romanian and Slovakian average is around EUR 15, while in Austria, that grows to EUR 38.

According to Világgazdaság, the Hungarian baths and spas are a major motivation factor for 70-80% of foreign visitors travelling to Hungary. The main development track is no longer expanding the number of spas and baths but improving their service level and increasing the available attractions.

Zoltán Balogh, the association’s chief secretary, pressed for a rethink of insurance coverage for spa visits. At present, only two visits a year are covered, he added. The association boasts 108 members, around half of the 220 spas in Hungary.

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