Visit Hungary: nearly a quarter of a million guest nights during Valentine’s weekend

The announcement is based on data from the National Tourism Data Service (NTAK): between February 14 and 16, 58 percent of travelers preferred rural destinations. 87 percent of domestic travelers also chose accommodations outside the capital.

The popularity ranking of rural accommodations is led by spa towns: first was Hévíz, second was Zalakaros, and third was Hajdúszoboszló

– they wrote.

Hévíz was also first on the list of rural popularity of international guests, with Szeged in second place and Bük in third.

Among rural areas, Lake Balaton was the number one favorite among both domestic and foreign guests. The second and third choices of domestic guests were the Mátra-Bükk and Budapest area, while international travelers most liked to visit Bük-Sárvár, Debrecen and its surroundings.

The NTAK data also shows that the romantic weekend was attended by nearly 60 percent of those aged 25-54, while 13 percent of those aged 55-64 and over 8 percent of those aged 65 and over were represented among the guests.

The announcement highlights that weekenders on February 14 apparently spent more lavishly, so accommodation providers were able to enjoy 15 percent more revenue, approximately 7.5 billion forints, than during the previous February weekend.

Many people also used their SZÉP Cards for the romantic celebration, with which they paid 349 million forints, almost 20 percent more in accommodation than during the previous weekend – the announcement says.