Tourist season in trouble in Hungary’s most popular destination

The buffets at Lake Balaton promise that they will try not to raise their prices too much. There is a huge shortage of skilled chefs and bartenders who speak languages at the Hungarian sea. However, it’s not easy to negotiate a wage that they would accept.

Tourist season is starting, Balaton restaurants and bars in trouble?

The tourist season at Balaton is about to begin. One of the biggest questions is again what prices will be charged at lakeside bars and restaurants, and how to attract staff, hvg.hu writes. Sonline has made a report on the restaurants and cafés at Lake Balaton, and their findings are quite interesting.

According to the news portal, most of the restaurants they surveyed offer food at last year’s prices. On average, a cheese and cream lángos costs HUF 1700-1800 (EUR 4.60-4.87) (in some places, it is even more expensive: we wrote about this in detail HERE). Many have already hired their entire summer staff, but some cannot find a cook for HUF 30,000 (EUR 81.19) a day.

Trying not to raise prices amid EU-record inflation

Almost everyone told Sonline that they are trying not to raise prices too much from last summer. This is a challenge because food prices are much higher than a year ago. Thus, restaurants either have to cut back on quality, cut back on workers’ wages, or their profits will be much lower. In any case, there were those who said that “together with other restaurants we have squeezed prices”.

Many people apply to be a bartender, but it’s hard to find someone who speaks foreign languages, those questioned said. Some people complained that they had not been able to find a qualified cook, even though they were offered a net salary of HUF 30,000 for 10-12 hours a day.

Development makes these places attractive to guests

Tamás Fekete, vice-president of the Balaton Tourism Association (Balatoni Turizmus Szövetség), told the portal that companies see that if they want to remain attractive, they have to reinvest their revenue back into development. In any case, based on their preliminary data, they expect good months ahead.

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4 Comments

Greed - Selfishness and Exploitation; says:

09/06/2023 at 19:53

Firstly – you “screw” Hungarians – you Pay the PRICE – Rightfully.
They won’t come with Families and “little ones.”
Millions upon MILLIONS can’t AFFORD the EXPLOSIVE prices for Accommodation, Restaurants – take away Food and Beverages and “other” facilities at Lake Balaton.
It is out of the FINANCIAL capabilities of Millions upon Millions of Hungarians.

Its – Greed, Selfishness and Exploitation – to Millions upon Millions of Hungarians – the “Battlers” working an Honest Days Work, for in Millions of cases – not receiving a FAR rate of Pay.

Those Hungarians who can AFFORD it fine – plus the “Blinded” or un-aware Tourist – paying the MASSIVELY inflated Prices.

The “scene” the attraction of Lake Balaton – will be HUMONGOUSLY damaged – by the Greed, the Selfishness and EXPLOITATION being the CULTURE that has ENGULFED the Lake Balaton region.
ostanus says:

09/06/2023 at 23:33

Cooking for 10-12 hours a day for 7-8 € an hour (gross salary someting like 10-12 € / hour) when you can get double the amount in resorts in Austria with less working hours and they provide basic accomondation for seasonal staff for free. Its no wonder skilled cooks and bar staff with language skills and no family or other ties rather find work elsewhere. I have no idea what the solution would be. Balaton seasonal employers need to seriously figure out ways to attract employees with some special benefits. Patriotism (“More Balaton, less Adriatic”) does not work for younger generation.
Sven Svensson says:

10/06/2023 at 07:20

Greed – Selfishness and Exploitation; You sound like you’re longing for a new Sovjet union.
Preliminaries of a Return to Russian Rule; says:

10/06/2023 at 20:34

Welcome back- Sven Svensson.
Your reply to Greed – Selfishness & Exploitation – the interpretation of the comment your reply, are you ENJOYING the preliminaries of Hungary, that are moving at a rapid pace, returning AGAIN to a Soviet Union / Russian Governed country.
Strange comfort zones do some have.