Zoltán Guller: MTÜ spent HUF six billion on international marketing last year

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 07. 02. 12:14

In an interview with Mandiner, the president of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ), Zoltán Guller, explained the financial background and expected effects of the Budapest Influencer Trip. Guller said that MTÜ spent a total of six billion forints on international marketing last year, of which one and a half billion went to the influenza and media event in May.

The president highlighted the significant increase in tourist bookings after the event: a 54 percent increase was recorded among American visitors, while one and a half times more people from Japan booked accommodation in Budapest than in the same period of the previous year.

However, the series of programs did not go smoothly, as the level of spending and the questionable effectiveness of the campaign provoked criticism from the public and the opposition parties. During the event, from the Fisherman’s Bastion to the Opera House to the champagne-filled parties of István Tiborcz’s luxury hotels, the influencers were present at all locations, and with their extravagant appearance, they received invitations to follow.

The Democratic Coalition (DK) filed a complaint and also requested the contracts with the influenza agents from MTÜ. However, Guller stands by the influencer marketing despite the criticism, and they plan to organize more similar events in the fall, this time with the participation of influencers from the Far East.