14.2 million guests, nearly 40 million guest nights - incredible results for Hungarian tourism in 2022

Last year, the Hungarian tourism performed impressively.

14.2 million guests spent nearly 40 million nights in Hungarian accommodations, up by nearly 40% compared to 2021. This is just a bit below from the "exemplary year" figures of 2019. However, several #tourist regions have already exceeded their 2019 guest numbers, with a one-and-a-half-fold increase in hotel revenues compared to 2021. These figures have far #exceeded our expectations

If we compare the figures with #international results, we can still be #proud of the performance of the sector: the rate of recovery in Hungary is faster than worldwide.

Despite the challenging circumstances, the unique features of our country and the hard work of all people working in tourism and hospitality brought success to the sector.

Last year, the #growth was largely driven by domestic #tourism, but the spectacular recovery in international tourism also made a good impact. For example, the number of overnight stays from certain sending countries has increased several times compared to 2021.

In addition to #datadrivenmarketing marketing campaigns, the unique #development of the National Tourism Data Supply Centre, also enables us to use data-driven analysis to tell how the year has been performing in terms of numbers. The data show that following the lifting of the epidemic restrictions, visitor numbers have started to grow rapidly. Although the market slowed down for a short term following the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but after a few weeks the bookings no longer reflected the initial uncertainty.

And the spring and summer numbers were already outstanding.

The first significant result of the year was the first free, unrestricted four-day long weekend in a long time on 15 March, which was also a new opening of the tourist season for us. The Easter long weekend was even busier, with a 40% increase in the number of hotel guest nights across the country. And with the figures for the Pentecost long weekend, we were confident that domestic tourism would not only exceed the previous year's turnover, but that the sector would also be able to count on foreign visitors.

Guest numbers in June have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with a combined 17.1 million guest nights in June-August reaching the summer share of 2019's record year. Last year, events such as the #FINA World Championships  in July and the 2022 #formula1 Hungarian Grand Prix also contributed to the rebound in international guest numbers.

However, the economic developments for the rest of the year, the armed conflict in our neighbourhood and the #energycrisis due to sanctions did not favour our intentions for a record-year. Tourism businesses were particularly exposed to these effects. Nevertheless, the momentum in tourism continued into the last quarter of the year.

These outstanding results have been achieved thanks to the hard work of industry players and government efforts to improve their operating environment. In November last year, the government adopted a 6-point, HUF 30 billion tourism rescue package based on the Hungarian Tourism Agency ’s proposals, which has helped tourism businesses to reduce their costs and improve their economic situation.

The measures support the operations of nearly 100,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. As a further concrete proof of the government's support, at the end of the year, the Hungarian Tourism Agency ’s initiative opened up the energy cost and investment #support programme for the hospitality sector, with a HUF 150 billion budget previously available only to manufacturing companies.

The success of the sector was also reflected in revenues. Last year's total revenue of hotels and accommodation services was HUF 668 billion, which taking average inflation into account is HUF 583.4 billion. This represents an increase of 52% compared to 2021.  According to the National Tax and Customs Administration’s online cash register, the turnover of the hospitality sector in 2022 was HUF 1490 billion. This is also 24% higher  than in 2021.

This year also looks promising. We believe that thanks to conscious strategic planning, immediately accessible accurate database and dedicated professionals working in the sector, Hungarian tourism will exceed 40 million overnight stays this year. Optimistic estimates suggest that we could even reach the record level of 2019.

 We will all be working on it!