Hungary’s tourism bosses have promised to ensure Budapest does not get overrun with British stag and hen parties following the launch of new low-cost services into the city.
Ryanair has launched five new routes – from Bristol, Prestwick, Liverpool, Glasgow and East Midlands – into the Hungarian capital this month, while an additional Aer Lingus route from Belfast begins in February next year.
Meanwhile, further capacity hikes are expected when Hungarian carrier Malev begins using larger aircraft on its existing Gatwick services.
“Of course, you cannot avoid attracting these low-spending clients,” said Hungarian National Tourist Office UK director of tourism Adam Ligeti. “But what we are keen to avoid is the mistakes of Dublin and Prague, which have found themselves swamped by people only interested in the nightlife and cheap beer.”
Ligeti said the HNTO would concentrate future promotional efforts on Budapest’s historic past and reputation as a centre for art, music and literature.
“Visitors who are more culturally sensitive tend to be higher spending, and it is these people who we want to attract,” he stressed.
Work to draw in these tourists has already begun in the form of the Budapest Winter Invasion, now in its second year. The promotion between the city’s five-star hoteliers gives visitors four nights’ accommodation for the price of three.
“Staying longer allows visitors to take in the cultural highlights of the city such as the spa facilities and the Budapest Palace of the Arts,” added Ligeti.
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