Hungary’s Tourism Sector Affected by Situation in Russia

Hungary’s tourism sector will be highly affected by the current situation in Ukraine after citizens of Russia and Ukraine recently accounted for among the top ten most important nationalities of passengers in the domestic sector.

Besides, Budapest, as well as several Hungarian spa towns, including Hévíz and Lake Balaton, will experience a lack of visitors from Russia, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Such conclusions have been reached by the tourism InfoRádió’s tourism expert Richárd Róbert Kiss.

The annual report of the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association revealed that in December alone, tourists from Russia and Ukraine were among the top ten most significant nationalities of travellers in the domestic industry, as reported by Hungary Today.

In addition, the source shows that in December, 48,000 overnight stays were registered in the country from Russia alone.

Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a large number of countries-imposed sanctions against Russia, which are highly affecting the tourism sector.

According to the tourism expert, the number of visitors from Russia in Hungary, including its capital, marked a significant increase before the crisis.

However, with the imposing of sanctions, according to the tourism expert, it is clear that tourism will come to a virtual standstill after the EU does not permit Russian flights, “which will be a serious loss for all countries for which Russian tourism plays an important role.”

“We are affected by the closure of airspace, as are Italian and Spanish resorts,” he pointed out.

Besides Hungary, authorities in Finland revealed that they are also affected by the war in Ukraine after a large number of people are cancelling their trips to Finland.

Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s neighbouring country Finland has received many cancellations of flights amid raised safety concerns.

According to the director of Visit Finland, Kristiina Hietasaari, tourism in Finland was marking an increase, especially during the spring and summer travel season; however, after Russia invaded Ukraine, the tourism industry was facing uncertainty.

“We’ve fielded inquiries about what the current situation is, whether you can come to Finland and what has been affected here. This is a serious crisis, and we fear that there will be effects,” Hietasaari pointed out.

Over 104,000 refugees from Ukraine have reached Hungary so far since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In addition, according to a press release published on March 3, published by the government of Hungary, Chief Security Advisor György Bakondi said that the number of those fleeing the war directly is estimated at nearly 80,000.

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