Published: 2023-06-27
Summer has arrived in Hungary, leading to the opening of beaches across the country. The Hungarian Tourism Agency has launched a summer campaign to boost the season's popularity in towns that offer water experiences.
Attractions at beaches across the country
In recent years, Hungary's beaches have undergone significant improvement to offer family-friendly and accessible services, as well as a variety of sports and leisure facilities. The government has facilitated the renewal of 140 open-air bathing sites in 73 settlements across Hungary, with domestic funding. At Lake Balaton alone, there are more than 100 beaches to choose from, almost two-thirds of which are free of charge, when measured by beach length. These water attractions are expected to attract even more visitors during the school holidays and remain a major magnet for tourists throughout the summer.
Rural accommodation turnover and popular settlements
Almost one-third of Hungary's rural accommodation turnover is generated in major spa towns. Eight of the ten most popular rural settlements, in terms of the number of nights spent, are spa towns, and tourists are encouraged to recharge their batteries on the waterfront in places such as Bük-Sárvár, Debrecen and its surroundings, Tokaj and Nyíregyháza, Győr-Pannonhalma, Gyula and its surroundings, Mátra-Bükk and, of course, Balaton.
Spa experiences as a major driver of tourism
The spa experience is not only popular with domestic tourists, accounting for 70% of guest nights outside the capital that have a popular spa, but is also a major driver of foreign tourism. NTAK data suggests that 8 out of 10 foreign tourists also visit rural municipalites with a spa.
Night of the Beaches
The Night of the Beaches, held every year on July 29, is expected to attract numerous people looking to escape the scorching heat with a good cold bath. The event has become increasingly popular since its launch 11 years ago.
Questions & Answers
What is the summer campaign of the Hungarian Tourism Agency and how does it contribute to the high season in Hungary? The summer campaign of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (Magyar Turisztikai Ügynökség, MTÜ) contributes to the successful high season in the towns offering water experiences.
How have beaches in Hungary improved in recent years? Beaches across Hungary have been significantly improved in recent years, with family-friendly and accessible services and a variety of sports and leisure facilities.
How many beaches are there to choose from at Lake Balaton, and what percentage of them are free? There are more than 100 beaches to choose from at Lake Balaton, almost two-thirds of which are completely free of charge when measured by length of beach.
What is the importance of spas for tourism in Hungary? Almost one-third of Hungary's rural accommodation turnover is generated in the major spa towns, and 8 of the 10 most popular rural settlements are spa towns. The remaining two are on the shores of Lake Balaton.
What regions does the Hungarian Tourism Agency recommend tourists to visit during the summer to recharge their batteries on the waterfront? The Hungarian Tourism Agency recommends tourists to visit regions such as Bük-Sárvár, Debrecen and its surroundings, Tokaj and Nyíregyháza, Győr-Pannonhalma, Gyula and its surroundings, and Mátra-Bükk, in addition to Balaton.
What percentage of demand in terms of guest nights last year in Hungary was linked to settlements outside the capital that have popular spas? According to accommodation data from the National Tourism Data Centre (NTAK), 70 percent of demand in terms of guest nights last year was linked to settlements outside the capital that have a popular spa.
What is the Night of the Beaches and when will it be held this year in Hungary? The Night of the Beaches is an event in Hungary where Hungarian baths are expected to be full of people wanting nothing but a good cold bath. It will be held on 29 July this year, and 2023 will mark the 11th edition of the Night of the Beaches.
