Domestic tourism headed towards another record year in 2025

According to the data available until the beginning of December, more than 18.2 million guests were registered in Hungarian accommodation facilities in 11 months, which exceeded the result of the same period of the previous year – and also the entire year 2024 – by 7 percent. Accommodation revenue increased by 12 percent, while catering turnover increased by 9 percent, indicating that guests not only arrived in greater numbers, but also spent more.

Domestic demand was further strengthened by SZÉP card spending: in the first ten months of the year, cardholders used a total of 397 billion forints, which represents an increase of nearly 11 percent compared to the same period in 2024. According to the government’s decision, between December 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026, the balance of SZÉP cards can also be used to purchase cold food, which predicts a further increase in year-end figures.

A new milestone was also reached in air transport: Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport reached 19 million annual passenger traffic for the first time in its history in November. In addition, cargo traffic has also expanded significantly: in the first 11 months of the year, 43 percent more goods were handled than a year earlier.

The development of the tourism infrastructure also continues: according to plans, the Gellért Thermal Bath may be renovated for 20 billion forints, while 2.326 million travelers were registered on the ships and ferries of Balatoni Hajózási Zrt. by the beginning of November, which already exceeded the total annual traffic of 2024.

The traditionally outstanding traffic of the Advent period and the end-of-year holidays is not yet included in the above figures, so based on preliminary data, 2025 could very well end as another outstanding year in the history of Hungarian tourism.