Government plans to further boost tourism

A pro-government commentator welcomes the Prime Minister’s plan to increase government spending on tourism. A left-wing columnist, on the other hand, accuses the government of intending to channel subsidies into the pockets of friends and relatives. 

Addressing the Budapest Tourism Summit 2017 on Monday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said a total of 53 billion Forints will be allocated to tourism-related developments next year, and additional hundreds of billons will be used to increase tourism-related capacities through cheap loans and grants. He added that Hungary’s increasing appeal as a tourist destination is partly due to its standing as one of the safest countries in Europe.

Magyar Hírlap’s Ottó Nagy welcomes the government’s efforts to further boost tourism. He agrees with the Prime Minister that tourism is not only an economically important sector, but helps Hungarians to improve the image of their country. The pro-government columnist recalls that Hungary has been mentioned in the Daily Telegraph’s list of fifteen ideal destinations in Europe, referring – among other things – to public safety.

In Népszava, Tamás Bihari is skeptical and critical of the government’s plan. The left-wing commentator fears that emigration and the ensuing shortage of labor will make it difficult to improve tourism services. Bihari also speculates that the government will increase spending on tourism in order to fill the pockets of allied entrepreneurs and friends.

Tags: corruption, economy, tourism