Tourism awards to Hungary: among world’s best destinations

Buda Castle. Source: Pixabay

According to numerous prestigious international awards and magazines within the tourism sector, Hungary is one of the world’s best destinations to explore.

Most out of these prominent professional recognitions came from China. Several Chinese magazines have highlighted Hungary as one of their new favourite upcoming spots, while the awards underscore the country’s adept marketing efforts.

International recognition

Not only did Hungary clinch numerous awards, prominent publications also praised the tourism industry in Hungary, including the Chinese edition of National Geographic Traveler, a titan in the field of travel magazines. The National Geographic Traveler lists Hungary as a top-tier destination, earning the esteemed Gold Quality Destination award.
Furthermore, the Chinese iteration of the globally renowned Voyage magazine has bestowed upon Hungary the title of Emerging Destination of the Year, as reported by turizmus.com.

Promising accolades

Leading tourism media in China have also placed the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ) at the forefront across various categories, such as country image enhancement and traffic stimulation initiatives.

Moreover, Hungary has been awarded two distinct trophies at the Chinese National Tourism News competition, solidifying its status as a pioneer in regional innovations and promotional efforts, writes Lelépő.

Notably, Tongcheng Travel, a prominent booking platform in China, has recognised Hungary as the Best Partner of 2023, underscoring the effectiveness of bilateral tourism development efforts.

Sino-Hungarian relations

Last year marked a significant surge in Chinese tourists flocking to Hungary, with visitor numbers quadrupling compared to 2022 statistics. In fact, 2023 figures surpassed those of 2019, previously regarded as the peak year. According to the National Tourism Data Provider Centre, last year witnessed a staggering 320% increase over 2019, indicating a burgeoning trend. With planned flight expansions across the Asian region, this upward trajectory is expected to persist.

This influx of visitors can be attributed to Hungary’s pioneering move as the first Schengen country to welcome tourists from China. “We have consistently promoted our country to Chinese travellers since the eagerly awaited border opening,” remarked László Könnyid, CEO of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ). This concerted effort has not only fostered stronger ties between the two nations but has also showcased Hungary’s unique selling points, notably its therapeutic thermal waters, bolstering the MTÜ’s international sales strategy.

Significance of awards

The significance of such recognition cannot be overstated, particularly coming from a tourism powerhouse like China, which boasts nearly 200 million outbound travellers annually, wielding substantial influence in the global tourism landscape, including Hungary.

The MTÜ further affirmed, “We take pride in the accolades received as they validate our efforts in catering to Chinese visitors.” With Chinese media endorsing Hungary as an accessible and desirable travel destination, it signals a pivotal moment in Hungary’s tourism trajectory.

This could also interest you:

Read more about thermal waters in Hungary HERE.

Read about the expected flight expansion HERE.

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