Published: 2023-06-27
Győr, Hungary's third-largest city, is considering a tourist ban due to littering caused by tourists. The disagreement has arisen between the local municipality and Mahart PassNave Passenger Shipping Ltd., which wants to build a port and enable tourist boats to directly enter the heart of the city.
The Conflict between Győr and Mahart
The leadership of Győr and Mahart differ on how tourist boats can moor in the city. The company plans to build a port, but the mayor wants money for the rubbish the tourists leave behind. He even proposed a tourist ban in retaliation, which would negatively impact the budding international water tourism in the region. Mahart moved ahead with building a port in Gönyű, 15 km east of Győr, rather than entering an agreement.
The Solution for Tourists
At present, tourists will have to travel by bus to visit Győr and the surrounding areas, including Hungary's first Benedictine monastery, Pannonhalma. Mahart plans to unveil the port in Gönyű by 30 June, which is expected to be a major water tourism centre in Hungary. However, a proper port can be built in Győr in just three weeks if an agreement can be reached between the municipality and Mahart.
The Mayor's Stand
The mayor of Győr, Csaba András Dézsi, stood his ground in the conflict, saying he would support a boat company that respects the cleanliness of Győr. He also wants to ensure that locals who engage in water sports, anglers, and boat owners are equally harmonised. The mayor has terminated monopolies in the city and is committed to Győr's liveability standards.
Conclusion
As tourism booms in Hungary, such conflicts place a strain on the local tourism industry. Győr must find a lasting solution that benefits both the local community and tourists who visit the region. The establishment of a proper port in Győr, which offers tourists direct access to the city, would be a significant step forward.
Questions & Answers
What is the issue with tourists in Győr, Hungary? The mayor of Győr, Csaba András Dézsi, believes that tourists coming to the city leave too much rubbish, and as a result, boat journey tourists may be banned from Hungary’s third-biggest city.
Why does the mayor want money from Mahart PassNave Passenger Shipping Ltd.? The company would build the port in Győr, but the mayor wants money because he believes the tourists leave too much rubbish, which they must clean.
Where is Mahart building a port instead of in Győr? Mahart began to build a port in Gönyű, 15 kilometres East of Győr.
What would happen if tourists were not banned from Győr? Mahart could take tourists directly into the heart of Hungary’s third-biggest city with middle-sized boats, and Győr could be part of the international water tourism.
What is the main attraction of Győr and Pannonhalma? Pannonhalma is Hungary’s first Benedictine monastery and will be put on Hungary’s water tourism map along with Győr.
What did the mayor highlight he wants to do regarding the boat company? Dézsi highlighted that he would agree with a boat company that respects Győr is a clean and liveable settlement.
Will Győr build a port? According to a radio interview with the mayor, he cleared the city would build a port.
