New victims: pharmacies, hotel, baths close in Hungary – PHOTOS

The four-star Zichy Park Hotel in Bikács (Tolna county) closed its gates on 1 October because of the soaring energy prices. In Szeged, South Hungary, the city’s symbolic Anna Bath will close for three months, in Mezőkövesd, some buildings of the Zsóry Bath are to close in October and December. Moreover, many rural pharmacies are in danger because their utility prices have grown fourfold.

According to turizmus.com, the Zichy Park Hotel said they could not remain open because of the energy prices, the soaring food prices and the expected reduction in guest numbers. Moreover, the Eventrend Group, which owned the place, decided end-September to leave the hotel sector. The owners, Gábor Nagy and Zoltán Kőrössy, said the closure is only temporary. On the other hand, they suggested that without a drastic reduction in energy prices the facility might remain closed even during the summer. 

They said that even though they could offer jobs for their senior staff, the dismissal of many employees was inevitable.

We wrote HERE that some Budapest hotels could only survive if they increase prices. Others opted for closure or decided not to welcome guests temporarily.

Read alsoNo end in sight: another prestigious Hungarian hotel closes

The municipal council of Szeged plans to decide on several money-saving measures in their next meeting on 21 October. One is the temporary closure of the city’s prestigious Anna Bath. Based on the proposal, the facility will close between 19 December and 3 March. In the meantime, only outpatient care will be in the bath, termalonline.hu said.

Szeged’s prestigious Anna Bath. Photo: facebook.com/annafurdo

From 17 October, the Zsóry Thermal Bath and Spa in Mezőkövesd will also close its swimming pool and spa sections. Other parts of the facility, like the physical therapy pools, the jacuzzi and the children’s bath, will remain open.

Zsóry Thermal Bath. Photo: facebook.com/zsoryfurdo

The Hotel Napfény Zalakaros, close to Lake Balaton, will close on 6 November. Hotels in the spa town will increase prices to survive the winter. Telex.hu writes that a quarter of the Hungarian wellness hotels may close this winter.

Read alsoWill Budapest’s spas need to close down?

Here are some photos:

Napi.hu reported that several rural Hungarian pharmacies face insoluble challenges because of the rising energy prices. The increase is two- and threefold, Bálint Mikola, the founder and chairman of the national association of Hungarian pharmacists, said. He highlighted those pharmacies are in danger that operate in small settlements and has low traffic.

Lajos Hodossy, the CEO of Roche Magyarország Ltd., confirmed that information, adding that many rural pharmacists struggle to make ends meet. 

Read alsoNew victims: pharmacies, hotel, baths close in Hungary – PHOTOS

Source: turizmus.com, telex.hu, turizmusonline.hu, napi.hu