1. Seasonality in Hungary National Tourism Development Strategy HUNGARIAN TOURIST AUTHORITY by Tamás Záhonyi 3 rd AER Seminar on Sustainable Quality Tourism Åre, 11 March 2005

2. Hungarian Tourist Authority Role of tourism in Hungary Seasonality in Hungary National Tourism Development Strategy HUNGARIAN TOURIST AUTHORITY

3. 1 st of January 2005 Independent organisation Highest level state administration body for tourism Strategic planning and development, economic and administrative issues, EU and international relations Hungarian National Tourism Office responsible for promoting Hungary Minister without portfolio responsible for regional development HUNGARIAN TOURIST AUTHORITY Hungarian Tourist Authority

4. Represents 9 % of the GDP Offers employment for 320.000 people Single economy activity in many underdeveloped regions Key sector Challenges –Concentration Seasonal concentration Territorial concentration –Length of stay is short –Low average expenditure –Share of domestic tourism is low HUNGARIAN TOURIST AUTHORITY Tourism in Hungary

5. HUNGARIAN TOURIST AUTHORITY Seasonality 2004, in thousands

7. HUNGARIAN TOURIST AUTHORITY Tourism nights in public accommodations 2004

8. HUNGARIAN TOURIST AUTHORITY

9. Lack of long term strategy since 1989, spontaneous development The strategy outlines the priorities of development until 2013 National Board of Tourism: Advisory Board of the Minister with members from the main areas of tourism, tourist regions are also represented Strategy Working Group Primary and secondary sources, interviews with tourist professionals May-June 2004: open consultation Final version approved in January 2005 HUNGARIAN TOURIST AUTHORITY National Tourism Development Strategy

10. The objective of the Strategy A new approach: tourism is not only a sector of economy, but a part of life. The main objective is to improve the quality of life - tourism should contribute to sustainability. To define the frames and guidelines of tourism development for the next 10 years. The Strategy focuses on the major challenges Detailed action plans to be elaborated for shorter periods (3-5 years) will describe the planned actions for different regions and tourism products.

11. The Strategy contains 5 comprehensive objectives: Objectives The Strategy contains 5 comprehensive objectives: Establishment of local destination management organizations Reorganizing the regional tourism management system Creative an effective vertical system from local to national level Create an effective organizational structure Product development Destination development Development of significant destinations Attractiondevelopment Enhancing the competitiveness of domestic tourism Optimalizing the effects of tourism on the quality of life Human oriented and profitable development for long term for long term Improving the infrastructure of tourism Improving the accessibility of tourism attractions Enhance tourists’ convenience Human resource development development Reorganizing the educational system, according to the demands of the labour-market Preparing a stable employment environment Improving the attitude N T D S 2005-2013 Horizontal objectives

12. Product development Supply development based on natural resources, traditions and heritageSupply development based on natural resources, traditions and heritage Destination development Local levelLocal level Regional levelRegional level National levelNational level Development of destinations of major importance BudapestBudapest Lake BalatonLake Balaton Decrease concentration

13. Quality-assurance Research on non-economic impacts of tourism Sustainable Tourism Working Group National indicator system Labels Carrying capacity Visitor management Sustainability

14. Actualities The National Tourism Development Strategy (230 pages) and it’s summary (45 pages) were approved by the National Tourist Board in 20th January 2005The National Tourism Development Strategy (230 pages) and it’s summary (45 pages) were approved by the National Tourist Board in 20th January 2005 Publication (printed copies, web-site, CD-ROM) Publication (printed copies, web-site, CD-ROM) Preparing a government decree proposal Preparing a government decree proposal The tourism related parts of the National Development Plan II will be based on the National Tourism Development Strategy The tourism related parts of the National Development Plan II will be based on the National Tourism Development Strategy

15. Thank you for your attention! Hungarian Tourist Authority H-1535 Budapest Pf. 729 Vérmező út 4. Tel: (361) 225-6500 Fax: (361) 225-6502 Web: www.mth.gov.hu