Guest nights at commercial and private accommodations in Hungary rose by an annual 18.9% to 2,194,000 in February, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Thursday. The number of guest nights spent by domestic travellers increased by 13.6% to 1,021,000, and guest nights spent by foreign visitors climbed 23.9% to 1,173,000. In January-February, the number of guest nights rose by 14.6% year-on-year. The number spent by domestic travellers increased by 11.2% and the number spent by foreign tourists by 17.9%.
The capital was the most popular destination in February, accounting for 942,000 guest nights. Lake Balaton was runner-up, with 255,000 guest nights. Revenue of commercial accommodations, which include hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, camp sites, resorts and hostels, rose by 21% to 35.7 billion forints (EUR 9m). Commenting on the fresh data, the national economy ministry said the tourism sector was making a “meaningful contribution” to restarting economic growth. Revenue of tourism accommodations, including private accommodations, rose by 15% close to 48 billion forints, it said.