Hungary Tourism Sector Sees Sharp Decline in August

rki.news | Sources Xinhua / Hungarian Central Statistical Office
Budapest: Hungary’s tourism sector recorded an overall decline in August, with total guest numbers falling 7.3 percent year-on-year and overnight stays decreasing 5.8 percent, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office.
Nearly 2.6 million guests stayed at tourism accommodation establishments across the country, generating 6.9 million guest nights.
International tourism experienced the sharpest contraction. Foreign guest numbers dropped 13 percent to nearly 1.2 million, while their overnight stays declined 9.3 percent to almost 3.1 million.
Foreign visitor numbers fell across all tourism regions. Budapest recorded a 15 percent decrease, while international arrivals in the Lake Balaton region dropped 14 percent.
Domestic tourism showed greater resilience. Hungarian guest numbers decreased 2.5 percent to 1.4 million, while domestic guest nights fell 2.8 percent to nearly 3.9 million.
Private and other accommodation establishments recorded significant declines, with foreign guest numbers falling 29 percent compared with August last year.
Portfolio reported that the stronger forint may have contributed to weaker domestic tourism by making overseas travel relatively more attractive for Hungarian households. It also pointed to perceptions of high accommodation prices within Hungary.