?? Expanding Air Connectivity and Strengthening Tourism Bonds: Budapest Welcomes Ningbo's First Scheduled Flight ??

I am very happy to share the exciting news that Budapest Airport has proudly welcomed the first direct flight from the beautiful city of Ningbo in China on the 19th of June. This significant step marks a remarkable milestone in our efforts to react the increasing interest from China. With great pleasure, we extended our warmest greetings to Shanghai Airlines for initiating the new flight service, which will now connect Budapest and Ningbo twice a week.

It's been just six months since the successful launch of the Shanghai-Budapest route, and we are thrilled to witness the growing demand for travel between our nations. In response to this positive trend, Shanghai Airlines have announced its plans to further strengthen air connections between Hungary and China, thus introducing flights to Ningbo. With this new addition, Budapest Airport proudly stands as the gateway to not only Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing but also Ningbo, becoming the fourth Chinese city with direct flights from our capital.

Our collaboration with Chinese partners, has been instrumental in fostering the development of new mono-destination services. Together, we strive to provide Chinese visitors with an opportunity to explore not only the vibrant capital of Budapest but also the breathtaking landscapes and attractions of the Hungarian countryside. The fruits of our collective efforts are already evident as the popularity of tourist destinations among Chinese travelers continues to expand. While the iconic Parliament building in Budapest remains a favorite, Széchenyi Square in Pécs and two other rural destinations have earned spots in the top 10.

The National Tourism Data Supply Centre's statistics reflect the positive impact of these new flight connections. Since the announcement of the Shanghai-Budapest route, we have already witnessed an impressive 36,000 overnight Chinese bookings this year. Particularly noteworthy is the significant increase in bookings for rural areas. These remarkable results demonstrate the direct influence of new flights on tourism, and we are confident that this year's overnight stays by Chinese visitors could quadruple, reaching 70% of the 2019 level.

In the realm of international tourism, air bridges play a vital role in fostering connections and promoting travel between nations. The new flight between Ningbo and Budapest serves as an important air bridge, not only bringing our countries closer but also injecting fresh energy into tourism and serving as an additional promotional platform for both the city and the country as a whole. This achievement stands as yet another testament to the ongoing and fruitful cooperation between the Hungarian Tourism Agency and our esteemed Chinese partners.

I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes for the success of Shanghai Airlines and Budapest Airport as they embark on this new flight venture. We are committed to providing future passengers traveling on the Ningbo-Budapest route with the same warm welcome and exceptional hospitality that we have extended to all our esteemed guests. We hope that your time in Hungary is filled with unforgettable experiences, and we encourage you to share your adventures with others when you return home.