Hungary’s third-biggest city banned tourists because they leave too much rubbish

Csaba András Dézsi, the Fidesz mayor of Győr, believes that the tourists coming to the city leave too much rubbish. In return, he wanted money from the Mahart PassNave Passenger Shipping Ltd., who do not want to pay. As a result, boat journey tourists may be banned from Hungary’s third biggest city.

According to telex.hu, the leadership of Győr and Mahart could not agree on how tourist boats could moor in the city. The company would build the port, but the mayor wants money because he believes the tourists leave too much rubbish, which they must clean. As a result, Mahart began to build a port in Gönyű, 15 kilometres East of Győr. They would embark foreign tourists on buses and take them to Győr from the village. That would mean additional pollution even though they could stop directly in Győr with the boat they are in.

That is because a brand new floodgate was inaugurated near Gönyű, increasing the water level of the Danube. The construction cost HUF 30 billion (EUR 81 million), and it could enable tourist boats to moor in Győr. As a result, Mahart could take tourists directly into the heart of Hungary’s third-biggest city with middle-sized boats. Thus, Győr could be part of the international water tourism.

Győr’s mayor, András Csaba Dézsi:

Mayor András Csaba Dézsi
Photo: facebook.com/drdezsicsabaandras

Mahart wanted Moscow tourist boats (150 seats) and even the Twin City Liners commuting between Vienna and Bratislava to halt in Győr. The latter even did a test journey. However, Győr does not have a port, so Mahart wanted to build it. But the mayor, Csaba András Dézsi, opposed the plan saying boat tourists spend only 1-2 hours in the city and leave too much rubbish. He wanted money, but Mahart did not pay, so no agreements were signed.

The mayor on a boat tour in Győr:

Therefore, Mahart began to build a port in Gönyű, which will be ready by 30 June. Thus, they will put Győr and Pannonhalma, Hungary’s first Benedictine monastery, on Hungary’s water tourism map. Tourists will have to travel by bus to these destinations. Meanwhile, if Győr and the Mahart agreed it would take only three weeks to build a proper port in Győr.

Dézsi highlighted that he would agree with a boat company that respects Győr is a clean and liveable settlement. He added that, as a mayor, he terminated monopolies in the city. Moreover, he would like to harmonise the interests of anglers, boat owners and locals doing water sports. In a radio interview, he cleared the city would build a port.

Featured image: illustration

5 Comments

  1. In agreement with the theme of this article.
    Complement – Applaud – the Mayor of Gyor, for having the “intestinal fortitude” – the guts, to take the position he RIGHTFULLY has.
    We live in District v – regi posta utca, 1052 and what we see, through lack of respect and cleanliness by tourist just DISGUISTING.
    Lord Mayor of Budapest, earn your BIG huf, and get ACTION happening with ALL the Districts to keep clean or CLEAN up there respective “soiled” Districts caused by TOURIST’s.
    We spent 3 days last week in Sophon.
    The cleanliness of that City, commencement at the Railway Station – DELIGHTFUL.

  2. What stupidity is this! Tourists spend money in the local areas they visit. So for the sake of a few forints spent by Gyor in cleaning up. They are willing to lose millions in income.
    The garbage that needs cleaning away is the idiot who is complaining!!

  3. Gret idea. Cities like Venice Italy found out the hard way that tourists’ spending does not cover bills for clean-up. Venice and other cities are already restricting tourism. Tourists walk around, take selfies, may have a coffee and get back on the ship.

  4. Can the mayor proof the tourists who spend money for two hours are dirty pigs? Plenty of trash cans plus emptying them might help too.

    Will this mayor be the mayor forever? Is he allowed to decide the future and income of hard-working people who try to make an income too?

    It sounds to me this is not different from stating that all tourists are the pockpickers, scammers and drunks in the city.

    Let’s hope the tourist will avoid the 3rd biggest city of Hungary and spend their money in the small villages instead.

    The Tisza can lead them to better, more Hungarian places.

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