The image shows the Hungarian Parliament Building (Orsz?gh?z) in Budapest, illuminated at night on the banks of the Danube River. Photo: Pixabay.com
Hungary surpassed 15 million tourist arrivals by the end of September earlier than ever before, a sign of increased demand and more effective promotional activities.
Budapest remained the most popular destination for foreign visitors, attracting 36% of tourists, up 13% from the previous year, while Lake Balaton is the most popular area for domestic travelers. Most international visitors came from Germany, followed by Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.
Moreover, Hungary has attracted significant investments from various sectors this year. For example, Siemens Mobility recently announced that it is investing over 15.3 million euros in an innovation project in Budapest, with state support, creating 40 highly skilled positions in the next generation of railway automation. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr. Szijjarto, on the occasion of the investment, emphasized that Hungary aims to become an innovation center, noting that industrial production has doubled in the last decade and employment is at consistently satisfactory levels. Another significant investment of 76 million euros was announced by Unilever, which concerns a new plant in Ny?rb?tor in northeastern Hungary that will expand production in hygiene products and deodorants. The project will increase production capacity, create new jobs and strengthen the industrial importance of the region. The new facilities are scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.
In addition, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi announced that it will create 500 new jobs in Budapest, expanding its global service center, doubling its size and increasing its staff to 2,200. The new positions will focus on clinical trials, automation, data analysis, finance, and a hub in Europe. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade noted that French companies are the fifth largest investor group in the country, while in the last decade the government has supported 60 French investments worth around 1.1 billion euros.
Moreover, Hungary in 2024 ranked first in Europe in attracting Chinese investment, absorbing one third of total Chinese investment in Europe, a lead that continues this year. Since the beginning of 2024, the country has attracted 62 investment projects worth 17.5 billion euros, creating 35,000 jobs, with most investments related to the automotive industry.
(*) Information comes from the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs in Budapest.
