Where will tourists sleep? – half of the Airbnb accommodations disappeared from Budapest

The short-term rental sector of Budapest is currently in a catastrophic situation. The help of football matches organised during the European Championships in Budapest was not enough. That is because fewer tourists came than expected and average prices are decreasing. Therefore, nobody knows when the sector will be able to reach its pre-pandemic level.

According to index.hu, Balázs Schumicky, chairman of the Hungarian rental flat owners’ trade union, told them that more than half of the places disappeared from the market during the pandemic.

That means 7-8 thousand places.

It is still a question of whether they opted for long-term flat rental or stopped offering their real estate for rent.

He said that it is yet unpredictable whether tourism will start skyrocketing after introducing the European immunity certificate (“green card”) from July 1. It is not clear yet, how much Budapest might profit from an again-flourishing European tourism sector. Moreover,

they do not know whether Budapest or the government prepares a marketing campaign to attract potential tourists

after the reopening starts abroad, and cities begin to compete for every consumer.

Mr Schumicky said they hope for the best regarding the Forma-1 planned to be organised with spectators and the Eucharistic World Congress. However, he added that the postponement of the Sziget Fesztivál is disadvantageous for everybody in the sector. He cleared that bookings tend to become last minute and people search for accommodations with parking lots because most of them come by car or train.