More foreign tourists visited our western border region last year

The latest data by KSH informs that in the Western Transdanubia region foreign guests spent 1 percent more nights at commercial places of accommodation in January-December 2009 than a year earlier. In 2009, 8 percent less guests spent less 8 percent less nights at commercial places of accommodation, resulting in a 10-percent fall in sales turnover. The market has been continuously declining since the end of 2008. In 2009, 3.2 million foreign guests spent 9 million nights at commercial places of accommodation. Most tourists come from Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Italy and Poland, but only Austrians spent more guest nights than a year earlier. Last year commercial places of accommodation reported 3.8 million domestic guests and 9.3 million nights spent – both data indicate a 7-percent decrease. Hotels make up for two thirds of domestic guest turnover: the number of nights spent fell by 8 percent; pensions also fell behind last year’s performance in the same period, by 14 percent. The number of guest nights spent at Lake Balaton and Budapest was lower by 8 percent and 11 percent, respectively. Commercial places of accommodation generated a gross sales turnover of HUF 222 billion in 2009. The gross average price for a hotel room was HUF 14,944; gross revenue per available room (REVPAR) was HUF 6,423. Enterprises in the accommodation service providing sector employed 25,000 people directly in December – 5,000 less than in July.