The quarterly results of the SZÉP card confirm the entrepreneurs’ proposal

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 04. 23. 12:29

According to the announcement issued by the Ministry of National Economy on April 22, looking at the first quarter of 2024, it can be established that in the first three months of the year, the total value of SZÉP Card top-ups exceeded HUF 109.4 billion, which is 22 percent more than the same period of the previous year, and 2019 It exceeded it by 107 percent. The amount of expenses in the first quarter exceeded HUF 86 billion. At the end of last year, the regional chambers of commerce and industry unanimously recommended to the government to restore the original framework for the use of the SZÉP card as of January 1, 2024, in order to stimulate domestic tourism, which the government implemented.

The Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BKIK) evaluated the tourist season at a forum jointly held at the end of 2023 by regional chambers of commerce and industry, as well as their tourism businesses and professional organizations. The participants agreed that last year there were regions where SZÉP card guests almost completely disappeared from tourism, which meant a huge loss for businesses. One of the most important findings of the national professional forum was that the use of the SZÉP card is of fundamental importance for domestic tourism (the announcement can be read here), therefore it was unanimously recommended that the government restore the original framework for the use of the SZÉP card as of January 1, 2024 , which the Government implemented.

Yesterday’s announcement by the Ministry of National Economy confirms the well-foundedness and usefulness of the chambers’ proposal, which the BKIK welcomes as the largest domestic chamber.