Booming bicycle tourism around Lake Balaton

Bicycle tourism at Lake Balaton can break records this year. It is projected that traffic can increase with 40 percent. Meanwhile, the quality of bicycle paths is deteriorating.

According to travel agencies dealing with the organization of bike trips around the lake, 30 percent more bicyclists arrived to Lake Balaton, in the pre-season of 2009 than a year ago, so it can result in a 40 percent traffic increase for the whole year. According to Kathó Melinda the marketing director of  Kéktó Tourism and Tour Operator Ltd. there's  an increase in the demand for weekly and ten-day bike trips combined with various cultural and culinary programs. The maintenance of the bicycle paths is serious problem, because significant part of them was designed for an only 10-15 years of usage. At least 30 km section should be made urgently around the lake. The state and local governments are long time arguing, that who should maintain the bicycle paths. Experts believe in realistic opportunities such as the utilization of various advertising opportunities, the involvement of venture capital or the adoption of bicycle paths – reports Napi Gazdaság.