Published: May 04 2023
Budapest Zoo, a popular tourist destination in the Hungarian capital, has announced that it intends to increase its entrance fees due to inflation and the current energy crisis. The resulting revenue will be used to improve its services.
The Reason for the Entrance Fee Increase
According to Anett Bősz, the Deputy Mayor of Budapest, raising the price of admission is necessary and inevitable. She also revealed that the costs of the fee wouldn't increase drastically and would not surpass municipal zoo price levels. However, the details about the new prices have not been released yet.
The Current State of the Biodome
In 2018, the former director of the Budapest Zoo, Miklós Persányi, and the previous mayor of Budapest, István Tarlós, designed the Biodome with the aim of displaying exotic species. The construction was supposed to be completed by 2021, but it went over budget and Persányi resigned from his post. The project was canceled by the current government due to budgetary constraints, and the building is unfinished, and it currently does not have the necessary heating. As a consequence, the unfinished building is deteriorating. According to Budapest's leadership, it would cost HUF 45 billion, or almost EUR 120 million, and would take at least 2-3 more years to complete.
Impact of the Project's Failure
The absence of climate regulation in the Biodome has resulted in its premature deterioration. Given the high cost of the ongoing project and the government's inability to allocate finances, the failed project shows the significance of the energy crisis on the Hungarian economy.
Conclusion
Budapest Zoo's decision to increase the entrance fee to generate funds for improvement is a necessary step amid the ongoing energy crisis. The Biodome's current state serves as a reminder of how underfunding can result in uncompleted projects with significant economic impacts.
Questions & Answers
Why is Budapest Zoo raising its entrance fees? Budapest Zoo is raising its entrance fees due to inflation and the worsening energy crisis. The increased revenue is aimed at improving services.
Will the new ticket prices be significantly higher than the current prices? According to Anett Bősz, the deputy mayor of Budapest, the costs of tickets will not skyrocket just to reach the price level of municipal zoos. However, the new prices have not been shared yet.
What is the Biodome in Budapest Zoo? The Biodome is a grande building designed to host exotic species in Budapest Zoo. However, the building is unfinished and began to deteriorate due to a lack of necessary tempered heating.
What happened to the Biodome project in Budapest Zoo? The Biodome project failed due to reckless planning and political reasons. The costs of the construction went over the roof, former director Miklós Persányi resigned, the previous mayor of Budapest István Tarlós lost the 2019 elections, and the government closed the money taps.
How much does Budapest Zoo need to complete the Biodome and get it back on track? The Budapest government estimates that the Biodome construction needs HUF 45 billion (almost EUR 120 million) and at least 2-3 years of work to get back on track.
Will Budapest Zoo keep the Biodome despite the issues with its construction? According to Anett Bősz, Budapest will keep the Biodome, but they are waiting for the government to finish the project.
