BUDAPEST – MTLG Destination Update 2022

The Danube is New Europe’s most important river and, at the same time, its economic backbone, whose affluents connect 19 countries where 83 million people live. Thus, it is no surprise that one can find some of the most renowned meeting destinations next to the mighty river. The Danube is the region’s aorta, whilst Vienna, Bratislava, Belgrade and Bucharest are the cities that played crucial roles in its history. Today, Vienna and Budapest lead the pack and have made the greatest progress. Budapest belongs to the XL category of meeting destinations that can host more than 2000 event attendees. The city stands out from its competition because of its well-developed tourist and congress infrastructure and exceptional experience index. In the past decade, Budapest has perpetually improved on our list. Most recently, it has evolved its destination marketing and interconnectedness. Budapest Convention Bureau, in particular, used the corona crisis to its advantage and set an ambitious plan to activate its potential. Their strategy includes hosting important international events such as the m&i Private Europe Forum and MCE Central & Eastern Europe Forum. The organisation also solidified its regional connections, reactivated its congress ambassador programme and improved public relations. Budapest also played host to an innovative event dubbed the #PowerOfLiveEvents that sent waves across the industry and activated the entire local meetings industry. Budapest is an excellent and well-established MICE destination that works like a well-oiled machine. In addition, Budapest, unlike its rivals, is also a very pocket-friendly meeting destination.

Several investments into the city’s development concluded during the corona crisis. The opening of a new congress hall at the Hungexpo Exhibition and Congress Centre received the most attention. The latest addition to the exhibition centre can capacitate up to 2000 attendees and also features 23 breakout rooms in addition to an exhibition hall spanning 2400 m2. Likewise, the hotel scene has not been idle. In 2021, the iconic Matild Palace Hotel opened its doors to guests. Following the renovation, the hotel is once again in step with time. More importantly, it has preserved its essence. The entire package is a reminder of golden times, with hints of concepts from the future of hotels. Kozmo Luxury Hotel Budapest, another newly-opened meeting gem, has shown that thought-out architectural renovation creates an unmissable experience. The premier regional Hard Rock Hotel Budapest is among the latest openings in the city. The hotel brings an unmistakable lifestyle into the city centre and is sure to attract guests with its unique ambience. For more demanding guests, Budapest has also become home to the boutique Turai Botaniq Kastély, where two Michelin-star awarded chefs reside, and guests can enjoy the unique venue in the spacious park. In 2023, Budapest will welcome W Hotel Budapest, which will offer 156 rooms and the 216-room five-star Dorothea Hotel.

Lately, guests visiting Budapest have been impressed by the increasingly improving public transport. A few years ago, Budapest introduced a new metro line and a bicycle system called Bubi. In addition, the city has been fitted with new cycle lanes, all to positively affect sustainable transport of attendees and, ultimately, ensure a higher quality of life.

Budapest’s contribution to sustainable mobility is a carriage powered by your legs, known as Bringóhintó or simply Bringo. These movable units are home to Margaret Insel and will take your group to the most picturesque parts of Budapest. By opting for Bringo, you will be able to get acquainted with Budapest from a fresh perspective in a responsible way. The Bringo has space for four people and will enchant you with a dose of nostalgia and retro impressions. We recommend spicing up the trip with a picnic in one of the most beautiful city parks in case of sunny weather. Margaret island is a hidden zen garden of the megacity and represents the green lungs of Budapest.

The Hungarian capital can be understood best from a bird’s-eye view. That is why roof-tops have become popular venues for relaxed events, especially in the warmer months. For more prestigious events, we recommend one of the suites in the Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, where you will find yourself amid an architectural pearl. The Marriott also has a terrace. But not any terrace. Here, Freddy Mercury sang to a group of friends on the occasion of his famous Budapest concert in 1986. The most popular terrace in the city has to be the 360Bar, accessible from one of the busiest streets in Budapest, Andrassy Avenue. It is a paradise for enjoying cocktails accompanied by the beats of resident DJs. The latest addition to the extensive list of well-kept secrets is Hotel Matild Palace’s picturesque terrace.

The perfect gift is hiding in Budapest’s Great Market Hall. Here you will find local products from paprika to linen, lace and pottery, famous Hungarian salami, Tokaj wine and Palinka. Hungarian wines are a perfect gift, and we recommend that you visit one of the well-known wine regions called Etyek, only a 30-minute drive from Budapest. You can even take a ride in a unique Eastern European retro car, Trabant and experience a “Trabi Rally”. Visiting different wine cellars and tasting excellent wine accompanied by homemade cuisine and delicacies offered by local ham and cheese masters is an unforgettable experience.

Budapest will be marked by several events in 2022. One of the highlights will be the quintessential music festival Sziget, organised for the first time in 1993. The city will also play host to the FINA Swimming World Championship. Recently, the European Handball Championship was held in the city. Stand-out events in the field of culture will be the Budapest Spring Festival and the Budapest Autumn Festival. The spring festival is one of Hungary’s largest festivals, where over 100 cultural events take place. The Hungarian capital will once more host the European finale of the most prestigious cooking competition in the world – Bocuse d’Or. In addition, the city will be the start of the prestigious cycling race Giro d’Italia. The event calendar for 2022 is indeed rich in all areas. To stay up to date with the latest happenings, we suggest following the website https://budcb.hu/.

Hungarian gastronomy is flowering, which is confirmed by the Michelin stars in the city. Currently, eight restaurants are on the list. Moreover, Hungary is making a comeback as the leading wine region in Central Europe. It is regaining its glory and reputation thanks to countless local winemakers from places including Eger, Tokay, Villány and Somló. Hungarian cuisine is often recognised solely as goulash and peppers, even though Budapest offers much more, being a true European capital. There is something special about romantic dinners on the ships on the Danube, where many tourists love to come. Even street food lovers will find something that suits their taste, including the traditional “langos”, a typical Hungarian dish made from flour, yeast, salt and water. The dough is fried in oil and topped with garlic, cheese or sour cream. Umami!

A current comparison of the closest competitors on the MTLG scale 2021