MVI conference at SIRHA

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2024/5

Krisztina Szántó, head of the National Tourism Data Supply Centre (NTAK) department of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ) opened the programme. Her presentation focused on the NTAK registration and data supply obligation of catering businesses. MTÜ’s view is that it is essential to have reliable statistical data at all times. Since the launch of the NTAK system, MTÜ has already received real-time statistical data from 45,000 accommodation establishments. In the catering sector data supply started last summer for businesses with a sales turnover bigger than HUF 100m; from 1 January 2024 businesses with net sales between HUF 12m and HUF 100m are also obliged to provide data. NTAK is a digital platform, a website where you simply register – which only takes a few minutes – and the data reporting itself is done automatically via software.

This year’s conference was packed with interesting topics and high-level presentations

Give and take

Szilvia Szabó, head of producer responsibility systems at MOHU MOL Hulladékgazdálkodási Zrt. gave an overview of the introduction of the deposit return scheme (DRS) system from this year and the first experiences. She told that catering establishments can join the scheme as voluntary drink packaging return points, with manual return as the main option. MOHU supports manual return with vehicles equipped with a mobile return vending machine, and the service is available for minimum 1,000 intact bottles, several times a week. Restaurants receive a handling fee from MOHU for each single-use bottle returned. Bars and restaurants –just like any other consumer – can also take back their empty bottles to any return point.

Rudolf Görög introduced Work & Smile Kft., a recruitment company active in Thailand and working to address staffing problems and labour shortages. They provide a full range of services to hotels, restaurants and event organisers in Hungary. Zoltán Varga, head of vocational training at the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BKIK) presented statistics on the results of the vocational training system, which has been renewed 3 years ago, stressing the importance of the dual training system.

The highlight of the event was a panel discussion with three successful HoReCa-professionals