Drastic Fall in the Number of Guest Nights

The number of tourism nights in Hungary decreased by 93% in December 2020 compared to the same month in the previous year according to data published this Thursday by the country's Central Statistical Office.

As a result of border crossing restrictions and COVID-19 protection measures for commercial accommodation, domestic tourists spent 89% fewer tourism nights in commercial accommodation establishments (hotels, boarding houses, camping sites, bungalow complexes and community hostels) compared to the same period of the previous year. International guests spent 96% fewer nights. 70% of all tourism nights were spent by domestic guests.

Statistical data also suggest that total gross sales of commercial accommodation establishments, calculated at current prices, were 93% lower than in December of the previous year. The number of domestic tourism nights decreased by 53% compared to the previous month, based on seasonally and calendar-adjusted data. In 2020, the number of tourism nights was 58% less than in 2019.

In December 2020, compared to the same month of the previous year,
33,000 domestic guests (92% decrease) spent 104,000 tourism nights (89% decrease). 58% of nights were spent in hotels, a 92% decline. The turnover in boarding houses and community hostels was nearly one third (29% and 32% respectively) of the turnover in December of the previous year. The Balaton tourism region saw the largest decline.

The number of foreign arrivals and tourism nights fell by 97% and 96% respectively, with 14,000 guests spending 44,000 tourism nights in accommodation establishments. Most guests stayed in hotels, however, the number of nights spent there decreased to 3.4%. Budapest and the Balaton tourist region recorded the largest declines (99% and 98%, respectively).
Total gross sales revenues were down by 93% (to HUF 2.9 billion) at current prices.