Hungary eye on Chinese tourists to boost tourism

Budapest, Hungary

Tourism has become one of the major contributors to the GDP of Hungary these days. It was informed by Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was talking to the media at the Dubrovnik Ministerial Conference on cooperation between China and 16 central and eastern Europian Countris.

“Chinese are the world’s most affluent tourists; as per last year’s records they have spent around USD 258 billion, worldwide. So having more Chinese tourists to Hungary is highly beneficial for the country,” said Szijjarto.

The inbound tourists form China last year were around  227,000, which was 34 per cent more than a year earlier. China’s national tourism agency has set up its central European regional center in Budapest.

Budapest, Hungary

“Chinese tourists can apply for visa 14 cities in China and permits for travel to Hungary are released within 48 hours,” added the minister.

Direct connectivity between the two countries is very important to enhance tourism activities in both the countries. Hungary is planning to have more direct flights to China, other than the current Budapest-Beijing flight.

“We have reached the final phase of negotiations with China Eastern Airlines on the establishment of a Shanghai-Budapest direct airline connection,” added the minister

Hungary should showcase the important tourism destinations to the Chinese tourists, other than Budapest; like Lake Balaton, the wine regions and various thermal baths around the country.