Lőrinc Nacsa: this year could be a record year for tourism in Hungary

Lőrinc Nacsa, who until now held the position of ministerial commissioner responsible for religious tourism, highlighted at the presentation of the book The Theory and Practice of Religious Tourism in Hungary at the János Brenner University of Religious Studies: those domestic and foreign tourists who visit values ​​that are considered “sacred destinations” number, they contribute to making 2024 a record year for tourism.

He reminded: until 2019, the number of foreign tourists arriving in Hungary and the number of domestic visitors also increased continuously, and this could also be felt in the sacred places. However, during the coronavirus epidemic, the number of visitors dropped significantly.

The state secretary added: the current increase in religious tourism is gratifying because the existing treasures and sacred places in Western Europe are being transformed into secular places.

In Hungary, “we should be proud to protect these places,” he said, citing as an example the cathedral renovation program, in which several cathedrals in the country could be renovated.

At the event, he signed a strategic and partnership agreement with Győr county bishop Lőrinc András Veres and with Ferenc Reisner, the rector of the college, on the launch of the two-semester religious tourism professional continuing education program starting in February 2025.

Speaking about the training, Lőrinc Nacsa emphasized that the government’s scholarship system will help those students who apply for the religious tourism specialist training. In his view, the book The theory and practice of religious tourism in Hungary will help the students during the training.