Growing interest at the Travel+ exhibition
Growing visitor numbers, satisfied exhibitors – the 48th Travel+ International Tourism Exhibition and Adventure Festival has concluded at the HUNGEXPO Budapest Congress and Exhibition Centre.
In addition to exhibitors representing the most popular destinations among Hungarian travelers – Croatia, Malta, Greece and Spain – a total of 160 exhibitors from 20 countries, ranging from the United States to Rwanda, participated in this year’s Travel+ Exhibition. The 25,000 visitors represent a 12% increase compared to last year. Organizers and participants alike agree that the nearly half-century-old event proves there is life beyond the online world; personal meetings continue to play a crucial role in travel planning.
Both tourism and the Travel Exhibition itself have undergone significant transformation over the past nearly five decades, said Exhibition Director Brigitta Horváth at the opening ceremony. “All of us here are aware that in this steadily growing industry, only those who understand and can adapt to these changes will remain competitive.” One of the most important shifts is that today’s travelers are primarily seeking experiences rather than destinations. An event like this can only be successful if it responds to those expectations. For this reason, experiences were once again at the heart of this year’s Travel+.
The experience island dedicated to the world of skiing, the Health Island, the creative EDUKIDO children’s activities, and the Gém Klub board game area all proved highly successful. Hungary’s wine regions were presented on a dedicated program island: Egri Borélmény, the Villány–Siklós Wine Route Association, Tokaj-Hétszőlő, Etyeki Kúria Winery and Tornai Winery brought not only their wines but also the atmosphere and lifestyle that make each wine region unique. The Festival Island was also popular, where Hungarian music festivals offered a preview of their upcoming programs.
Many visitors attended the Blogger Corner, where travel influencers shared their experiences with the audience. Those seeking extraordinary journeys could meet world travelers at the Off the Beaten Path Festival. From opening to closing, the stand of the AEROPARK Aviation Museum attracted significant interest, where active and retired pilots, technical experts and flight attendants revealed behind-the-scenes secrets of commercial aviation.
The E-bike Test&Show once again proved to be a major crowd favorite, offering visitors the opportunity to test a wide range of electric bicycles available in Hungary on the 3,000 m² test track. This year, 1,800 participants tried the electric vehicles.
At Travel+’s traditional co-event, the Caravan Salon, nearly 100 vehicles were showcased. As many exhibitors are themselves active motorhome travelers, visitors were able to gain first-hand insights into this lifestyle.
Travel+ as a Professional and Business Platform
As in previous years, the exhibition once again provided an opportunity for tourism professionals and interested stakeholders to meet and exchange ideas. The professional program of Visit Hungary Nonprofit Ltd., for example, focused on current issues in sustainable tourism. The publication titled “Travel Responsibly! – 50 Inspiring Examples from Hungarian Tourism” was also presented during the event.
At the traditional opening-day professional conference, speakers addressed current topics affecting tourism. The program organized by Turizmus Kft. focused this year on market trends, business opportunities and inspiring perspectives.
Today, Travel+ is not only a platform for travel enthusiasts but also a business hub for tourism enterprises. This year, the expanded B2B business forum and workshop—organized jointly by Hungexpo and the Association of Hungarian Travel Agencies—continued in a larger space with even more partners than last year. According to participants, the event provided efficient and focused negotiation opportunities and served as an exceptional platform for networking, exploring and discussing current industry trends.
Held at the same venue and at the same time as Travel+, the 34th Budapest Boat Show remains the country’s largest “inland harbor.” This year, visitors could explore the offerings of 45 exhibitors, including motorboats and electric boats, boating equipment, services and a wide range of water sports products.
With the participation of the Hungarian Rowing Federation as guest of honor, visitors were introduced to the diverse world of rowing, from classic racing boats to spectacular coastal rowing. At the experience island, anyone could engage with rowing in a short, easily accessible format, try the ergometer and experience the fundamental movement of the sport firsthand.
High-resolution photos from the exhibition are available for download at the following link. Should you use them, please indicate HUNGEXPO as the source.
