RURAL TOURISM IN HUNGARY

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

2. The counties of Hungary

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

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

5. Presidency Name Position Speciality Dr.Csizmadia László president Dr. Hanusz Árpád vice president Information Technology Dr. Szabó Géza vice president Education, Training Benkovics László vice president Finance Sípos Jánosné, Zsuzsa vice president Classification, Marketing Geszti Jánosné vice president Organisation Dr. Miklay Frigyesné, Eszter secretary-general László

6. History of the Association I. • In 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 villages • The empty houses were increasingly turned into guest houses • Lack of quality control and organisation • By the begining of the 90s the news of the success of village tourism in Western Europe had reached Hungary

7. History of the Federation II. • 1994-the Federation established with 35 members • 1995-96 –based on Western models a classification guide and the rules are worked out • 1996-consultants start classification of properties • 2000-number of members goes up to 116 • 2000-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 organisations • 2002-2003 county organisations strengthen • From 2003 the main focus is on organised supply and effective marketing activity

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

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

10. Some typical Hungarian attractions • Festival country-wide: • making plum jam in Szatmárcseke • walnut festival in Milota • pumpkin festival in Nagydobos • Wine -tour • Apple-tour, horse-radish-tour • Sausage making, cooking Goulash soup and fish soup

11. Craftsmanship • Folk architecture • Peasant furniture • Ceramics • Folk costumes • Artisan Camps

12. „Palóc cottage”

13. Hand painted jug from Hollóháza

14. Folk costume of Boldog

15. Artisan camp

16. This is how rag carpet is made

17. Other attractions • Gastronomy • „Hungaricums” • Ecological products • Safeguarding helath, recreation • Thermal waters, excursions • Sports (riding, angling, carriage ride,water sports) • Welcoming people with disabilities (wheelchair access)

18. „Hungaricum” : Paprika hanging out to dry

19. Carriage ride

20. Riding school

21. Angling

22. The complexity of rural tourism: • ecotourism • agrotoursim

23. Cooperation • The Federation maintains close ties with: • State institutions • Local governments • Non-profit specialist organisations • Tourism bureaus • Travel agencies

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

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

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

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

28. Change in number of guests between 1998 and 2002

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

30. Thank you for your attention!