Domestic tourism continues to boom unabated in 2026. While the conflict in the Middle East is reshaping international travel trends, Hungary remains a favorite among locals and foreigners alike as a safe travel destination. With the spring break, wellness vacations and cultural programs are dominating, as reported by the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation.
The year 2025 was marked by dynamic growth in tourism, among both domestic and foreign vacationers; overall, the sector recorded 7.3% growth, based on data from the Central Statistical Office (KSH). This upswing continued into the first months of 2026:
Based on the data, 4.9% more guests—a total of 2.1 million—were registered in tourist accommodations during the first two months of the year.
The increase was similarly strong for both domestic and foreign guests: the number of domestic visitors rose by 4.7%, while that of foreign visitors rose by 5.1%. In total, 1 million domestic and 1.1 million foreign guests visited domestic destinations.
Sopron. Photo: Hungary Today
According to Oeconomus, starting in March 2026, international trends will be influenced by the Middle East conflict, which could also undermine confidence in tourism to international, distant destinations. The effects could be felt most notably in the Middle East region. In other regions, opposite trends cannot be ruled out:
Safe destinations within Europe, such as Hungary, could become more attractive.
According to booking data from szallas.hu, Budapest, Hajdúszoboszló, and Eger are the most popular destinations in spring 2026, followed by Pécs, Miskolc, Siófok, Gyula, Szeged, Nyíregyháza, and Hévíz. Travelers are primarily looking for a combination of spa resorts and family-friendly offerings.
Pécs. Photo: Pixabay
The analysis highlights that, in line with spring trends—similar to the Advent season—destinations where relaxation and cultural offerings are equally available remain popular. Wellness is a decisive factor when choosing accommodations: in 44% of advance bookings, guests opted for such an offering.
Eger. Photo: Pexels
The list of the most popular attractions is led by the Gyulai Várfürdő, Eger Castle, the Sárvár Spa and Wellness Center, Festetics Castle in Keszthely, the Nyíregyháza Zoo, and the Visegrád Fortress.
The number of bookings for trips abroad has also risen by nearly 20% this year.
During the spring break, Hungarians are primarily seeking out warmer European coastlines (Italy, Spain, Cyprus), nearby cities (Bratislava, Vienna), and more exotic destinations (Egypt, Türkiye, the Canary Islands). Multi-day family trips aimed at enjoying the spring sunshine are particularly popular. This is partly due to the fact that the average price of airline tickets within Europe has dropped by about 10%. According to data from turizmus.com, most Easter trips are no longer traditional multi-day city breaks, but rather a kind of early vacation: 59% of tourists are already booking 8- to 13-day vacations.
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Via oeconomus.hu, turizmus.com; Featured image: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert
