Four of Hungary’s mesmerising tourism destinations, Veszprém, Sárvár, Esztergom, and Tokaj-Hegyalja have received prestigious awards recently. Green Destinations has once again compiled its list of the top 100 sustainable tourism destinations for the year, and Hungary performed well on the list.
This year, 170 tourism destinations, including 65 from Europe, competed to have their sustainability projects showcased on the Green Destinations TOP 100 Stories list, Világgazdaság reports. At the award ceremony held on 15 October, it was revealed that only 32 countries, including Hungary with four projects, made it onto the list, according to a statement from Innotime Hungary.
Annual Green Destinations recognition
The international organisation Green Destinations annually recognises destinations around the world that have implemented high-level sustainable tourism initiatives. These projects serve as inspiring examples for both the industry and travellers.
Every year, tourism destinations are given the opportunity to present how they address key challenges such as environmental protection, social equality, cultural heritage preservation, and economic sustainability.
By publishing these exemplary practices, destination management organisations receive recognition for their innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainable development.
Veszprém made it onto the TOP 100 list for the second time this year, along with award-winning projects from Sárvár, Esztergom, and Tokaj-Hegyalja.
Four tourism destinations, four success stories
Veszprém
Veszprém, Hungary. Photo: depositphotos.com
Veszprém’s project, linked to its designation as the European Capital of Culture in 2023, earned a spot on the list. The city transformed a neglected 2.3-hectare industrial area—the former site of the Balatoni Furniture Factory—into a vibrant cultural centre known as Gyárkert KultúrPark.
Originally planned as a temporary project, its success led to the extension of the lease for an additional three years. However, this time, the project operates without external funding, relying solely on partial city support and a new business plan.
Tokaj-Hegyalja
In Tokaj-Hegyalja, a model project centred around the village of Bodrogkeresztúr received recognition. It all began when a local stork named Fülöp, who stayed in the village year-round, tragically died after flying into a power line. This event spurred the town to bury its overhead power lines and create a stork-themed visitor centre.
Fülöp, the stork:
Today, the area features an active tourism site offering camping, sports programs, birdwatching, and other conservation-related activities that draw attention to the region’s stork population. Several tourism programs have since been developed, showcasing the unique natural and cultural assets of Bodrogzug and the surrounding area.
Sárvár
Sárvár’s GoGreen project, available via the website gogreen.sarvar.hu, provides an easy-to-use web app. Visitors to the site simply click a button to receive environmentally friendly travel tips. Users can also share these suggestions on social media or access additional information on environmental protection through related blog posts. The app even indicates whether the suggested actions require any preparation or are simple to implement.
Esztergom
One of the best tourism destinations in Hungary: Esztergom. Photo: depositphotos.com
Esztergom’s good practice is tied to its local farmers’ market, operated by the city’s tourism organisation. The market not only offers local producers a platform to sell their goods but also serves both residents and tourists. A city shuttle service, primarily aimed at helping elderly locals access the market, is provided regularly. The market also hosts thematic events for tourists, focusing on local ingredients, products, short supply chains, and showcasing the uniqueness of local businesses.
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Featured image: depositphotos.com
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