The weather is not the best for tourism in Lake Balaton

According to Péter Éskovács, the organization’s consultant, “abnormally” heavy rainfall often reduces hotel occupancy, but thanks to dynamic pricing, this does not always lead to a decrease in revenue. Many guests prefer higher-category accommodations offering full-service amenities (e.g. wellness, indoor programs), which offer a quality experience even in rainy weather.

Based on international trends, it is mainly 4- and 5-star, full-service hotels that can take advantage of weather changes: they react faster and more flexibly to forecasts with their pricing. According to Péter Éskovács, this dynamic can also be felt on Lake Balaton, but smaller accommodation providers – such as apartments and private accommodations – use these pricing strategies even less. He also highlighted that according to a study published in an international travel magazine, on days when it rains, guests write significantly worse reviews – giving a score of up to a full star lower. Even if they did not otherwise experience any particular problems during their stay.

Moreover, these reviews written in a negative mood are longer, more detailed and more critical than opinions written in sunny weather. “That is why it is crucial that hotel staff be even more attentive, kinder and proactive on rainy days – because not only the current guest experience is at stake, but also the online reputation that influences future bookings,” he emphasized. According to Tamás Fekete, president of the Balaton Tourism Association, domestic tourism and hotel players should be much more conscious of incorporating weather data into their dynamic pricing systems in the future, especially in the summer season.