ASSESSMENT OF THE TOURISM SECTOR IN A HUNGARIAN SPA TOWN: A CASE-STUDY OF HAJDÚSZOBOSZLÓ

Abstract

Health tourism is defined as a tourism product of strategic importance in Hungary and spa towns are among the most visited destinations in the country. The aims of the present research are to explore the characteristics of the tourism sector in the spa town of Hajdúszoboszló, and to identify the trends having shaped its tourism in the previous decade. Time-series analysis of secondary tourism data as well as a questionnaire survey among visitors were conducted to assess the market position of the spa town. The results imply that both the well-balanced ratio of domestic and international guests and the diversity of international source markets were favourable for the town. In the future, the more efficient diversification of tourism products, the improvement of the MICE sector, and the development of gastronomic, cultural and sport tourism products are recommended.