Number of Tourism Nights: an Annual Decrease of 70%

As a result of border crossing restrictions and COVID-19 protection measures for commercial accommodation, domestic tourists spent 66% fewer tourism nights in commercial accommodation establishments (hotels, boarding houses, camping sites, bungalow complexes and community hostels) in Hungary compared to the same period of the previous year. International guests spent 74% fewer nights.

The decrease in the observed indicators is even more significant compared to the period before the outbreak, with 89% fewer tourism nights compared to the same period in 2019. The number of domestic tourism nights increased by 14,000 compared to the previous month, the Central Statistical Office reports.

In March 2021, compared to the same month of the previous year, 42,000 domestic guests (76% decrease) spent 136,000 tourism nights (66% decrease). 62% of nights were spent in hotels, a 71% decline. The turnover in boarding houses and community hostels was just over half (59% and 55% respectively) of the turnover in March of the previous year. The Balaton tourism region saw the largest decline.

The number of foreign arrivals and tourism nights fell by 79% and 74% respectively, with 24,000 guests spending 88,000 tourism nights in accommodation establishments. Most guests stayed in hotels, however, the number of nights spent there decreased to 23% compared to March 2020. Budapest and the Balaton tourist region recorded the largest declines (95% and 82%, respectively).

Total gross sales revenues were down by 70% (to HUF 4.5 billion) at current prices.