Hungarian tourism continues to be on a strong path

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 03. 28. 11:49

In February 2025, tourism once again showed strong growth: domestic accommodation establishments registered more than 1 million guests and 2.3 million guest nights – an increase of 14 and 3.9 percent on an annual basis, respectively, according to the latest data from the Central Statistical Office (KSH). The growth is primarily due to the spectacular increase in the number of foreign tourists: the number of 536 thousand foreign guests registered in February was 22 percent higher, and the number of guest nights spent by them was 9 percent higher than a year earlier.

Foreign guests take the lead

Based on seasonally adjusted statistics, the number of foreign guests increased by 18 percent and guest nights by 7.5 percent compared to February 2024. 86 percent of foreign tourists stayed in hotels, where the number of nights spent by them increased by 8.6 percent. A 13 percent increase was measured in private and other accommodation establishments. Regionally, the largest increase was recorded in the Pécs–Villány region (25%), while a decline occurred in the Sopron–Fertő area (–15%). A 12 percent increase was also registered in the capital and at Lake Balaton.

Moderately variable domestic traffic

The number of domestic guests increased by 5.4 percent in February, reaching 485 thousand, while the number of guest nights spent by them decreased by 2.1 percent. Based on seasonally adjusted data, however, the number of guests increased by 3.6 percent, while the number of guest nights decreased by 1.1 percent. Commercial accommodation registered 383 thousand domestic guests and 792 thousand guest nights, of which 83 percent were spent in hotels. In the case of private and other accommodation, however, a 5.6 percent decline was experienced. In terms of domestic guest nights, Szeged and its region stood out with a 7.9 percent increase, while the largest decline (–18%) occurred in the Pécs–Villány region.

February summary figures

During the month, a total of 1.0 million guests spent 2.3 million guest nights in tourist accommodations – 73 percent of these were realized in commercial accommodations, where turnover exceeded the previous year by 3.2 percent. Private and other accommodations showed a 5.7 percent increase.

Accommodations and revenues

A total of 18,964 tourist accommodations – of which 2,039 were commercial and 16,925 were private and other – welcomed guests. Of the commercial accommodations, 896 hotels and 876 guesthouses were in operation during the month. The total gross revenue of accommodation establishments reached HUF 59.8 billion, which is a 17 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. Within this, rural accommodation establishments realized a revenue of HUF 33.8 billion, which reflects an expansion of 13.3 percent. SZÉP card spending also increased: a turnover of HUF 2.0 billion was measured, which is an increase of 1.2 percent.