Tourism is on the rise, they will not raise prices in Budapest’s spas any longer

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 08. 23. 11:41

This year’s beach season was constrained by the cold and stormy early-season weather, but alongside the increasing foreign tourist influx, the guest numbers and revenues of Budapest’s historic baths have risen. The positive news is that the entrance fees for the baths won’t increase further this year. However, the renovation of the Rác Bath might cost billions more than anticipated, and there has been no interest in the hotel meant to cover the investment. The summer season has been a mixed bag, particularly in comparison to last year’s baseline numbers. Due to bad weather, almost 100,000 visitors were missing from the Budapest beaches in June.

Budapest’s Spa Baths and Thermal Waters Corporation (BGYH) CEO, Ildikó Borosné Szűts, told Világgazdaság that the weather-dependent beach season’s majority was washed away by rain and cold. In June and July, there were merely seven very hot, scorching days in Budapest. True summer weather is only happening this week,” she said. August might improve the numbers; it’s already clear that in the first half of the year, there was a 16% rise, and in the first seven months, a total of 20% increase in guest traffic in BGYH facilities.

Interestingly, while foreign guest traffic is distinctly increasing in Budapest’s historic baths, fewer guests were received from the Sziget Festival this year due to a discounted purchase opportunity that accurately measures the number of guests arriving from the festival. For now, there hasn’t been an outstanding guest influx related to the World Athletics Championships either. Perhaps some of the fans staying here after the competitions will visit the baths.

The growth in foreign tourist influx is reflected in the numbers of the historic baths. At Széchenyi Bath, the number of guests increased by 12%, at Lukács Bath by 26%, and at Gellért Bath by 28% in the first six months. Sold-out periods are frequent, tailored to the baths’ capacity, and no more visitors are allowed in to ensure a positive guest experience. Queuing is also common; for instance, at Széchenyi Bath, they quickly snatch up the limited number of additional tickets that provide immediate entry without waiting in line.