Fewer guests in the beginning of the year

The number of foreign guests served by commercial accommodation providers was down by 19 percent in January-March, compared to the same period in 2008, while the same number for domestic guests was down by 11 percent. Revenues generated by commercial accommodation providers were down by 12 percent. The number of nights spent by foreign guests using commercial accommodation services in the first three months of 2009 was 1,236,000, while the number of guests was 458,000. The number of nights was down by 17 percent compared to 2008. A drop of 35 percent was recorded in terms of the number of nights spent in Hungary by guests from the UK, whereas a similar drop of 38 percent occurred in terms of guests from American countries. the US. All hotel categories recorded a drop in occupation. 1,359,000 nights were spent by a total of 622,000 domestic guests using commercial accommodation services in the above period, which represents a drop of 12 percent compared to 2008. Regarding the purpose of visit to Hungary, travellers on official business or attending conferences accounted for 38 percent of the total. Health tourism was the primary purpose of the visit for 14 percent of visitors. Spas and wellness hotels accounted for 32 percent of hotel guests. Only 27 percent of guests using commercial accommodation services employed the services of travel agents for booking their accommodation. 30 percent of reservations were recorded through the Internet. Average occupancy rate for hotels was 33.7 percent in the above period, with 49.7 percent recorded by spas and wellness hotels. Revenues generated by commercial accommodation providers totalled HUF 76 billion. Average gross room rate in hotels was HUF 14,829, while REVPAR was HUF 5,003.