This can be expected in Hungary’s tourism this summer!

The tourism sector has suffered the most profound crisis due to the pandemic that caused drastic revenue losses in the industry this spring. However, the epidemic subsidence and the lifting of restrictions seem to have boosted Hungarians’ desire to travel; as a result, the occupancy rate of Hungarian accommodations was almost 50% at Pentecost. As far as domestic tourism is concerned, business operators are quite optimistic about the summer season.

According to Tamás Flesch, president of the Association of Hungarian Hotels and Restaurants (MSZÉSZ), it seems unlikely that Budapest’s tourism will restart before September.

It seems that part of the domestic demand may recover this year, mainly in the case of rural tourism; still, foreign visitors may stay behind for a long time, which mostly affects accommodations in the capital.

95% of tourists arriving in Budapest are foreign visitors, and even if guests show up in Budapest hotels from September, accommodations expect a turnover of around 30%. The expert also added that it is impossible to forecast when the situation will get back to normal, but for now, they hope that perhaps this will be realised for next spring.

However, the good news is that bookings have started in the countryside, with an occupancy rate of 50% during the Pentecost weekend, which shows only 15-20% fallback compared to the same period last year.

Read also: Tourism expected to remain competitive at the regional level

“Even though Hungarians would like to travel domestically, the problem may be that many people have already taken their annual leave during the quarantine period, which is also reflected in the occupancy data: the weekends are quite busy, but the numbers are much lower on weekdays” – said Tamás Flesch.

According to the Hungarian hotel chain Danubius Hotels, people are still cautious with travelling – despite flexible booking conditions, the former travel mood has not returned yet. In recent weeks, guests have started to re-plan and make reservations; therefore, they expect that domestic tourism will intensify in the next period. The summer period is likely to become more prevalent in the countryside and around Lake Balaton; however, the situation is different in Budapest, as a result of which, the hotel chain still postpones reopening in the capital.

Hunguest Hotel chain does not expect an outstanding season either. The reopening is realised in stages – besides two hotels in the countryside, their hotels in Hajdúszoboszló and Zalakaros will open this weekend. Even though August is expected to be the best month just like every year, the crisis has hit the two hotel chains so profoundly that some member hotels might remain closed until the end of the year.