2. RURAL TOURISM IN HUNGARY The role and importance of the Hungarian Federation of Village and Farm Tourism in developing rural tourism in Hungary.

3. The counties of Hungary

4. General information : Data on the Federation : Name of the federation: Hungarian Federation of Village and Farm TourismName of the federation: Hungarian Federation of Village and Farm Tourism Number of members: 19 county organisations, and with these 1300 guest housesNumber of members: 19 county organisations, and with these 1300 guest houses Accommodation capacity: 700 classified guesthouses and 30,000 non classifiedAccommodation capacity: 700 classified guesthouses and 30,000 non classified Country: HungaryCountry: Hungary Area: 93.000 square kilometreArea: 93.000 square kilometre Population: 10 millióPopulation: 10 millió

5. Constitution objectives Improvement in the living conditions of the rural populationImprovement in the living conditions of the rural population Representation of the economic and legal rights of hosts receiving touristsRepresentation of the economic and legal rights of hosts receiving tourists Cooperation with organisations supporting and fostering village and agrotourismCooperation with organisations supporting and fostering village and agrotourism Continuous and comprehensive instructionContinuous and comprehensive instruction Building an image for village and agrotourismBuilding an image for village and agrotourism Developing the quality of supply and fostering salesDeveloping the quality of supply and fostering sales

6. Presidency Name PositionSpeciality Dr. Csizmadia Lászlópresident Dr. Hanusz Árpád vice president Information Technology Dr. Szabó Gézavice presidentEducation, Training Benkovics László vice presidentFinance Sípos Jánosné, Zsuzsa vice presidentClassification, Marketing Geszti Jánosné vice presidentOrganisation Dr. Miklay Frigyesné, Esztersecretary-general László

7. History of the Association I. In the 70s, together with the easing of political pressure, the economic situation of village people improvedIn the 70s, together with the easing of political pressure, the economic situation of village people improved Big houses were built but the majority of young people left the villagesBig houses were built but the majority of young people left the villages The empty houses were increasingly turned into guest housesThe empty houses were increasingly turned into guest houses Lack of quality control and organisationLack of quality control and organisation By the begining of the 90s the news of the success of village tourism in Western Europe had reached HungaryBy the begining of the 90s the news of the success of village tourism in Western Europe had reached Hungary

8. History of the Federation II. 1994-the Federation established with 35 members1994-the Federation established with 35 members 1995-96 –based on Western models a classification guide and the rules are worked out1995-96 –based on Western models a classification guide and the rules are worked out 1996-consultants start classification of properties1996-consultants start classification of properties 2000-number of members goes up to 1162000-number of members goes up to 116 2000-change in strategy, based on EU regional guidelines2000-change in strategy, based on EU regional guidelines 2001as a result of restructuring the direct membership of the Federation will consist of the 19 county organisations2001as a result of restructuring the direct membership of the Federation will consist of the 19 county organisations 2002-2003 county organisations strengthen2002-2003 county organisations strengthen From 2003 the main focus is on organised supply and effective marketing activityFrom 2003 the main focus is on organised supply and effective marketing activity

9. The definition of village tourism (according to our Federation) Hospitality activity in well-kept rural environment based on local and regional attractionsHospitality activity in well-kept rural environment based on local and regional attractions Satisfies a wide range of needs for spending leisure timeSatisfies a wide range of needs for spending leisure time Provides accomodation, meals and programmes for domestic and inbound tourismProvides accomodation, meals and programmes for domestic and inbound tourism this activity fosters wide-scale cooperation between local organisers and hoststhis activity fosters wide-scale cooperation between local organisers and hosts It is a commercial activityIt is a commercial activity

10. Attractions in our supply natural environment (thermal water, nature reserves, unique natural formations)natural environment (thermal water, nature reserves, unique natural formations) traditional village life (customs, traditions, folk festivals, handicrafts)traditional village life (customs, traditions, folk festivals, handicrafts) agricultural activity (ecological farming and husbandry, horticulture, raising small animals)agricultural activity (ecological farming and husbandry, horticulture, raising small animals) Gastronomy (local cuisine, specialities, wines)Gastronomy (local cuisine, specialities, wines) Culture, architecture (historic buildings and memorial places)Culture, architecture (historic buildings and memorial places)

11. Some typical Hungarian attractions Festival country-wide:Festival country-wide: making plum jam in Szatmárcsekemaking plum jam in Szatmárcseke walnut festival in Milotawalnut festival in Milota pumpkin festival in Nagydobospumpkin festival in Nagydobos Wine -tourWine -tour Apple-tour, horse-radish-tourApple-tour, horse-radish-tour Sausage making, cooking Goulash soup and fish soupSausage making, cooking Goulash soup and fish soup

12. Craftsmanship Folk architectureFolk architecture Peasant furniturePeasant furniture CeramicsCeramics Folk costumesFolk costumes Artisan CampsArtisan Camps

13. „Palóc cottage”

14. Hand painted jug from Hollóháza

15. Folk costume of Boldog

16. Artisan camp

17. This is how rag carpet is made

18. Other attractions GastronomyGastronomy „Hungaricums”„Hungaricums” Ecological productsEcological products Safeguarding helath, recreationSafeguarding helath, recreation Thermal waters, excursionsThermal waters, excursions Sports (riding, angling, carriage ride,water sports)Sports (riding, angling, carriage ride,water sports) Welcoming people with disabilities (wheelchair access) Welcoming people with disabilities (wheelchair access)

19. „Hungaricum” : Paprika hanging out to dry

20. Carriage ride

21. Riding school

22. Angling

23. The complexity of rural tourism: ecotourismecotourism agrotoursimagrotoursim

24. Cooperation The Federation maintains close ties with:The Federation maintains close ties with: State institutionsState institutions Local governmentsLocal governments Non-profit specialist organisationsNon-profit specialist organisations Tourism bureausTourism bureaus Travel agenciesTravel agencies

25. The marketing activity of the Federation’s Central Information Office Giving information to hostst and prospective guestsGiving information to hostst and prospective guests Distribution of national and regional publications and leafletsDistribution of national and regional publications and leaflets Publishing promotional materialsPublishing promotional materials Participation at meetings of professionalsParticipation at meetings of professionals Organisation of conferences and workshopsOrganisation of conferences and workshops Maintaining ties with state and professional organisationsMaintaining ties with state and professional organisations

26. Factors hampering development Lack of continous funding that results inLack of continous funding that results in Unstable financial situationUnstable financial situation It is difficult to do long-term planningIt is difficult to do long-term planning There is no funding for research, that’s why the trends are not easy to identifyThere is no funding for research, that’s why the trends are not easy to identify More efficient marketing activity would be neededMore efficient marketing activity would be needed Cooperation is not always working well, lack of unity can be experiencedCooperation is not always working well, lack of unity can be experienced

27. Main tasks in developing rural tourism Closer cooperation with state organisations, local governmentsCloser cooperation with state organisations, local governments Strengthening ties with professional organisationsStrengthening ties with professional organisations Developing complex supply-finding new target marketsDeveloping complex supply-finding new target markets Publishing a larger number of informational and educational materialsPublishing a larger number of informational and educational materials Spreading the use of InternetSpreading the use of Internet Organising courses to train hosts and consultantsOrganising courses to train hosts and consultants Gathering and processing statistical dataGathering and processing statistical data

28. Change in the number of hosts between 1998 and 2002

29. Change in number of guests between 1998 and 2002

30. Change in the number of guest nights between 1998 and 2002

31. Thank you for your attention!