Hungary Wants to Be Tourism Center of Central Europe – Over EUR 700 Million to Be Invested in Development of Tourist Offer by 2030 (PHOTO)

When eKapija’s team got an invitation to make a tourist visit to Hungary, we knew we were in for a good time, because it is a country that fosters service quality, hospitality, which takes care of its cultural and historical heritage, and which you won’t leave with an empty stomach. Because, gastronomy is one of the first impressions here. If we tell you that we had our first breakfast at the cult New York café, in the company of representatives of the National Tourism Organization of Hungary, you must know that we set off in a very good mood to visit and soak in everything that the capital of Hungary, but also the rest of this country, has to offer.

On the very first day, we learned that Hungary had not wasted time during the pandemic, instead dedicating itself to developing tourism and creating a strategy for the next years. At NTO Hungary, they work hard to position the country as well as possible on the tourism map of the world, that is, to let tourists worldwide know what they can expect when they come here.

Mitigating the big consequences of the pandemic on the tourism sector, NTO representatives continue to make and effort to contribute to a mild recovery, on both the local and the international level. Accordingly, in the last week of February, they hosted over 200 representatives of tourism agencies and journalists from all Europe. As everyone noted, we need to socialize, travel, make new contacts and friendships, that is, everything we missed during the two-year pandemic.

Even during the most difficult period of the pandemic, NTO Hungary points out, an infrastructural development of tourism occurred, first in the sector of rural tourism, and 35 hotels are in the reconstruction phase. Private accommodation (14,000 units) is being upgraded, and 115 beaches and 600 bed-and-breakfast accommodation facilities have also been renewed, all within the Kisfaludy Program.

The Kisfaludy Program of tourist development was launched in 2017 as one of the key pillars of the Strategy of Tourist Development of Hungary. It is the biggest state program in this sector, which also supports the goal of turning Hungary into a tourist epicenter of Central Europe. The development did not stop during the pandemic either, which has contributed to the fact that, when tourists come to Hungary today, they have plenty of potential experiences waiting for them.

The Kisfaludy Program results in the fact that, by 2030, the tourism sector of Hungary will get support of around EUR 785 million. The renewal of accommodation capacities, restaurants and spas is expected.

A new look of key Hungarian tourist assets

Those who have traveled through Hungary know that their castles and palaces draw a lot of attention and that tourists go back to them very often. Not wanting to let them be worn out by the passage of time, Hungarians oriented themselves within said tourist development program to the protection of cultural heritage as well. It is all run by the non-profit organization National Heritage Protection and Development Nonprofit. They are dedicated to a sustainable management of buildings, palaces and castles, as well as their development and reconstruction. They manage 50 facilities, among which the most representative ones are castles, palaces and other cultural heritage facilities.

A highlight of Budapest, the famous Buda Castle, is part of this program of reconstruction and putting a new stamp on the tradition. As Hungarians point out, they want to give it the glamour it had before the Second World War. Buildings and quarters will be reconstructed within the castle complex, so that the visitors could enjoy the unique environment and the cultural offer. The St. Stephen's Hall has a new look and it has been open to visitors since August 2021. It is also the first unit to be reconstructed within the complex.

The Jewish cultural heritage is also in the focus of reconstruction and protection, because, prior to WW2, Jews comprised 20% of the populace of Budapest. The Jewish Quarter has as many as three synagogues – the one in Dohany Street, the second biggest one in the world, which can take in 3,000 people, was reconstructed in 1996. Most of the money, USD 5 million was donated by Estee Lauder, a prominent American businesswoman of a Hungarian-Jewish origin.

After several years of reconstruction, the synagogue in Rumbach Street, designed by famous architect Otto Wagner, re-opened in July 2021. Hungarians says that what makes a trip to the Jewish Quarter especially interesting are its recognizable zig-zag streets, but also its worn-out facades.

Restaurants – outbursts of flavors and hedonism

Hungary is the first country in which Michelin announced new restaurant with its stars and the Michelin Plate symbol this year, so Budapest now has seven restaurants with Michelin stars: Costes Downtown, Borkonyha Winekitchen, Costes, Stand, Babe, Salt and Essencia, and 18 have the Michelin Plate symbol.

Gastronomy is very important to Hungarians, so these acknowledgments come as no surprise, and they are also a good promotion of their tourism. They proudly announce that, in March 2022, they will host the final of the Bocuse d’Or championship, where the best chefs of Europe will compete against each other.

Wine regions

For those who enjoy wines and want to discover Hungarian wine regions (of which there are 22), the following is available: Eger wine region, vineyards in Budapest itself, in Budafok, and then the wine cellars of Hajos, Villany, as well as Cak.

The team of eKapija had the opportunity to taste the wines made by the Gere family, one of the most famous winemaking families in Hungary, in the sophisticated interior of their restaurant. They have vineyards on 70 hectares, and since 2010, their wines have not contained any chemicals at all, because they make them organically. This is the seventh generation of that family which maintains the tradition of wine production and their brand. The Gere winery is located in Villany, in the very south of Hungary.

Active tourism

Several Hungarian regions offer a multitude of options for an active vacation and sightseeing, so there’s no worry about missing this form of enjoyment. Bicycle riding along the Danube belt, which leads you through a forest area too, and then the view from the castle in Visegrad, all these are unforgettable adventures. It’s all available an hour’s drive away from Budapest.

There are also mountain walks in Visegrad, with fantastic lookout spots. Don’t forget to visit Lake Balaton either, the largest Central European lake, whose northern coasts make for an extraordinary landscape. The Szigliget Castle and the hills are reflected on the lake’s surface.

A bicycle ride down the coasts of Lake Ferto, shared between Hungary and the neighboring country of Austria, is recommended as well, as is birdwatching at the largest natural park in the world – Hortobagy.

These are, of course, just some of the ideas and suggestions for a visit. We believe that, from the moment you decide to head for Hungary, you will plan your route in more detail – from culture, gastronomy, to visiting cultural highlights.

Teodora Brnjos

National Tourism Organization of Hungary

development of Hungarian tourism

Hungarian tourism

Buda caste

Jewish Quarter Budapest

Budapest

Costes Downtown

Borkonyha Winekitchen

Costes

Stand

Babe

Salt

Essencia

Jewish cultural heritage

synagogues

Budapest restaurants

Michelin stars

Hungarian wine regions

active vacation

Lake Balaton

Visegrad Danube Belt

Lake Ferto