Hungary's tourism achieved record-high results in 2013, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Siófok on Monday, following talks with hotel managers of the Lake Balaton region.

The Prime Minister stressed that 8.8 million tourists spent a total of 22.8 million guest nights in Hungary last year, paying a total of HUF 166 billion (EUR 638 million) for accommodation.

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He underlined that tourism has greatly contributed to the country's economic growth as it accounts for some 9.9 percent of Hungary's GDP, adding that increasing this number by one percent is a realistic objective.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the success of the Government's Széchenyi card programme (the so-called SZÉP cards), introduced in 2011, a scheme providing luncheon, recreation and holiday vouchers, noting that 23,000 employers were participating in the programme, allowing 920,000 employees to benefit from it.

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He also mentioned that in the 2007-2013 budget period Hungary received HUF 290 billion (EUR 932 million) in European Union funds to finance 1,132 tourism projects, adding that the Government expects to acquire another HUF 250-300 billion for the same purpose in the current seven-year period.

Furthermore, additional funding will be earmarked for the development of the Lake Balaton region, the Prime Minister said.

(Prime Minister's Office)