Magyar News, 1998. szeptember-1999. augusztus (9. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1998-11-01 / 3. szám
The Trciyeler'/ ße/t Companion By Antonio Procaccini "Good things come in small packages." This proverb undoubtedly applies to the Hungarian National Tourist Office (HNTO). Though small in size and number of employees, this agency, led by its director Balázs Szűcs, provides superb service to all of North America. While some travel agencies may at times be more concerned with the bottom line, the Hungarian National Tourist Office has only one goal: to promote tourism in Hungary. The information at this office's disposal is complete and current and its pamphlets and bulletins are renewed and/or reprinted yearly. According to Sziics, the information distribution function his group performs takes many forms. Annually, this group distributes about 20,000 information packages to groups and individuals, including travel agents, tour operators and the general public. Thus far in 1998 the office has participated in 22 trade shows and seminars in addition to its continual distribution of press releases to newspapers, travel magazines and consumer magazines. "We also invite journalists to Hungary for onsite experience with our country," notes Sziics. The office keeps tabs on articles or publications written about Hungaiy whose source is not the homeland. Items of particular interest or importance are often forwarded to its head office in Budapest. In this vein, the Hungarian National Tourist Office recently started a subscription to Magyar News. Balázs Szűcs, Director Major promotional events are a part of the HNTO itinerary. The agency participated in the Hungarian section of the highly successful Second Gastronomic Festival at the United Nations in February of this year. The event garnered highly favorable press in major newspapers. The HNTO was the primary sponsor for a cultural and tourism promotion of the city of Pécs and the area of Hungaiy known as Southern Transdanubia. The opening night took place on September 16th at the Hungarian Consulate in New York City and featured works of art by five artists from Pécs as well as outstanding examples of tableware and decorative pieces from the famous Zsolnay Porcelain Factory of Pécs. Among the dignitaries participating were Maria Révész, Deputy Mayor of Pécs, and Hungarian Consul General István Kovács. Sziics described some positive trends with respect to Hungary and tourism. He noted that Hungary, along with three other Eastern Central European countries, received a World Tourism Award from a group comprised of American Express, the International Herald Tribune and the Reed Travel Group. The award recognizes growth in tourism as it relates to overall economic growth. While Hungaiy received about 317,000 visitors from North America in 1997, the projected number for 1998 is 350,000. As dictated from their head office, the focus of Hungarian tourism promotion for 1999 will be the gastronomy and wine of Hungaiy. Hundreds of events are planned all over the country to coincide with this major marketing campaign Of the many publications offered by the Tourist Office, possibly the most helpful is entitled "Hungary: Travel Planner 1998/99". The contents include a sectionby-section overview of Budapest and its environs. Lake Balaton and the other major regions of the entire country, and each section has a corresponding calendar of events. A separate middle section contains a wealth of practical information such as transportation tips, dining and shopping recommendations, accommodations and an order form for many other useful publications, including a new leaflet called Quarterly Newsletter. The publications are categorized as follows: general information (including maps), what to do and where to stay, information on Budapest, regions in the country and Hungary for special interest travelers. The last part of the Travel Planner talks about Hungary's rich history, spas and thermal baths, castles, wine and gastronomy, Jewish heritage in Hungary and outdoor sports. A calendar of events accompanies some of these categories. Any traveler visiting Hungary will find something useful in the Travel Planner. Those who can visit the HNTO are in for a pleasant surprise. A wide assortment of pamphlets is available for the taking, Mária Harsányi, Nicole Róna and Andrea Hönis and the personnel will be happy to answer all questions and continue research into inquiries. Getting there is easy. Grand Central Terminal, the final destination on the MetroNorth New Haven line trains for Connecticut residents, is about a 20-minute walk from the office. Another option is to take the number 4 subway train from Grand Central for one stop and get off at the 59th Street and Lexington Avenue station; the distance from this point is one short block. The HNTO is in the upper midtown area close to Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Central Park and Bloomingdale's, which makes it convenient to visit some of New York's landmarks after getting the best possible assistance for one's next trip to Hungary. Bon voyage! You may contact the office directly: Hungarian National Tourist Office 150 East 58th Street, 33rd floor New York, NY 10155 Phone: (212)355-0240 Fax: (212)207-4103 E-mail :huntour@idt. net Page 5
