According to the latest data released by the Central Statistical Office (KSH), both domestic and international tourism activities have shown a positive trajectory, reflecting a dynamic recovery and growth in the industry.

In June 2024, tourist accommodation establishments in Hungary welcomed 1.8 million guests, marking an 11% increase in arrivals compared to the same month last year. This surge was driven predominantly by a significant rise in international tourist arrivals, which saw a 19% year-on-year increase. Domestic tourist arrivals also contributed to this growth, albeit at a more modest rate of 4.8%.

The total number of tourism nights recorded was nearly 4.2 million, reflecting a 3.1% increase compared to June 2023. This growth was underpinned by a robust 9.4% rise in international tourism nights, offsetting a 2.2% decline in domestic tourism nights. The slight drop in domestic tourism nights can be attributed to the extended school year, which delayed the start of the summer holiday season.

Accommodation Breakdown

Commercial accommodation establishments, which accounted for 69% of all tourism nights, experienced a 1.6% increase in turnover. Private and other types of accommodation saw a more substantial rise of 6.5% in tourism nights. Notably, hotels remain the preferred choice for tourists, with 64% of domestic and 79% of international tourism nights being spent in these establishments.

  • Domestic Tourism: The 972,000 domestic tourists generated 2.1 million tourism nights. Hotels observed a 2.3% increase in domestic tourism nights, although private and other accommodations saw a 2.9% decline. Regionally, Budapest experienced a 5.7% increase in domestic tourism nights, while Lake Balaton saw a slight decrease of 1.8%.
  • International Tourism: The 825,000 international guests spent approximately 2 million tourism nights. Hotels again led the way with a 10% increase in international tourism nights. The most significant growth was seen in private and other accommodations, which registered a 19% rise. Budapest and Lake Balaton were the top destinations, with increases of 17% and 3.7% respectively.

The total gross sales revenues for tourist accommodation establishments reached HUF 95 billion in June 2024, a notable 14% increase from the previous year.

Additionally, the use of the Széchenyi Recreation Card, a popular payment method among Hungarian tourists, saw a 4% increase in spending at tourist accommodations, totaling HUF 3.8 bln.

Half-Year Performance

Looking at the broader picture from January to June 2024, the tourism sector registered a total of 17.8 million tourism nights, representing a 7.6% increase from the same period last year. Domestic guests contributed to 8.5 million tourism nights, a 3% increase, while international guests accounted for 9.3 million tourism nights, a substantial 12% rise.