Zoltán Guller, head of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTU), said on Monday that 2024 was another record year for Hungary's tourism sector, with both foreign and domestic guest numbers as well as tourism revenue rising to new highs.
In 2024, guest numbers increased 11pc to 18m, including 9.3m domestic and 8.7m foreign tourists.
Guest nights came to 44.2m, with about half of guest nights spent by foreign tourists.
Budapest's Liszt Ferenc International Airport had around 17m passengers, up more than 17pc from a year earlier.
The capital attracted close to 6m foreign visitors, 24pc more than a year earlier, and accounts for 60pc of the total number of guest nights spent by foreign tourists in Hungary.
Revenue of tourist accommodations rose 16pc to HUF 1,050bn. Catering revenue was up 11pc at HUF 2,005bn.
Outside of the capital, spa towns Siofok, Hajduszoboszlo, Heviz, Balatonfured and Zalakaros were the most popular destinations. Lake Balaton attracted more than 3m guests, up 7pc from a year earlier.
SZEP voucher card top-ups came to HUF 454bn and card holders spent HUF 432bn, with spending on tourism up 9pc from a year earlier.
The tourism sector contributes close to 13pc to GDP. It is expected to account for 80pc of last year's EUR 5bn current account surplus, Guller said.
By 2030, the agency targets an annual 20m guests and 50m guest nights, while the tourism sector's contribution to GDP reaches at least 16pc. At the sector's current rate of growth, these targets could be achieved before 2030, Guller said.