According to the government, more active tourism is needed

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 10. 04. 11:24

The National Active Tourism Strategy defines the main directions for the development of active tourism in Hungary until 2030, the purpose of which is not only to increase the number of tourists, but also to promote a healthier and more environmentally conscious lifestyle for the entire society. The strategy, which has already undergone social consultation, has now entered the implementation stage, and the government is planning HUF 270 billion for this purpose. However, the use of resources alone is not enough; the cooperation of state and civil organizations, national parks, forestry farms, as well as swimming pools and fitness centers is also necessary for success – said Máriusz Révész, the state secretary responsible for active Hungary, at the Rendezvény ReStart 2024 conference.

One of the main goals of the strategy is to make the population more physically active, since in recent years there has been a significant deterioration in the mental and physical condition of children, and there are more and more overweight young people. Daily school physical education has not been a resounding success either, so comprehensive, sustainable solutions are needed that encourage an active lifestyle and the development of healthy habits.

An important element of the strategy is network thinking, which has also appeared at the government level since 2016. Mirkó Petényi, the executive director of the Active and Ecotourism Development Center, pointed out that previously many investments had not been thought through: for example, bicycle paths often ended at the border of a settlement, without further continuation. The goal of cooperation in networks is to eliminate such gaps and to make the developments a connected system.

The direction of the developments is also determined by the fact that the popular locations, such as Dobogókő or the Holdvilág moat, are already overloaded. The goal is to make lesser-known areas, such as the hiking trails of Cserhát or Békés County, more popular. This would not only help the distribution of tourist traffic, but also ensure the sustainability of newly built tourist facilities. Márk Tassy, the director of the Hungarian Hiking Association, emphasized that the goal is to make the tourist houses and services viable on a business basis, avoiding the creation of paid hiking trails.