This paper presents the characteristics of tourism development at Lake Balaton, Hungary, with special emphasis on the physical environment, and discusses how the residents' and the tourists' perceptions of the physical impacts of tourism development affect the sustainability of tourism in the region. The methodology used to gather information on tourism's physical impacts included structured interviews with residents and tourists, unstructured interviews with the representatives of the tourist industry, a Delphi survey and a Tourism Impact Matrix. The research shows that due to the characteristics of tourism development in the region, only a certain form of mass tourism can be sustained, though in a better managed way. Both residents and tourists perceived both positive and negative impacts of tourism development – economic benefits being considered as the most significant impacts of tourism by residents. Even though local people could also identify unfavourable impacts of tourism, the support for the expansion of the tourism industry was strong. Thus regional organisations have to deal with managing the impacts of tourism and changing the local population's short-term approach at the same time.

The aim of this paper is to map some of the new developments that have been taking place in Budapest since 1989, in particular focusing on the role that tourism and cultural regeneration have played in transforming old spaces into new places. The redevelopment of former socialist cities is politically complex, as new power relationships need to be negotiated, heritage values must be reassessed, and widening economic and social disparities should be addressed. Tourism needs to be managed carefully if it is to contribute in a positive way to economic development, heritage conservation and promotion, and enhancement of the local quality of life. A number of examples are used to demonstrate the spatial transformations that are taking place in Budapest. In some cases, historic spaces have been accorded new and symbolic status (e.g. as World Heritage Sites); some attractions have been re-packaged as itineraries or trails (e.g. the Cultural Avenue project). Some socialist heritage has been removed to the outskirts of the city (e.g. Statue Park). Some previously derelict areas are being transformed and regenerated into national cultural or international business spaces. New shopping and leisure areas are also being created in accordance with Budapest's desire to be recognized as a dynamic and cosmopolitan city. Questions are then raised about the implications of these developments for the future planning of the city as a new tourism destination in a competitive market.

This paper takes a multi-level approach to the analysis of Budapest as a capital city and tourism destination, focusing on the international, European, regional and national elements used in image construction. Drawing on perception studies undertaken by the Hungarian National Tourist Office (2002) and on visitor profiles of budget airline passengers by the Tourist Office of Budapest (2005), the authors will examine the factors that distinguish the city from other national capitals, especially in the CEE region and ‘new’ EU. An analysis will be made of the promotional strategies that are employed at both a national and city level by the HNTO and the TOB in order to position and brand Budapest in an international, European and regional context. Much of the analysis will attempt to ascertain the extent to which Budapest is being promoted as a quintessentially Hungarian city as opposed to a European or global city. The final part of the paper will make recommendations for image creation, branding, a...

Based on qualitative research methods, the paper explores the emergence of creativity and innovation in the development of guiding services, and analyses the cultural and spatial characteristics of alternative guided tours developed for niche markets in Budapest, Hungary. The study is part of a 3-year (2011–2014) research programme entitled ‘Creativity and its contribution to niche tourism development – following and creating trends’ that aimed to investigate the potential of niche tourism products in the Hungarian market. In order to understand the development process, characteristics and significance of alternative guiding in the city, a complex methodology of interviews, participant observation and content analysis of service providers’ websites and customers’ feedback on social media sites was used. The analysis suggests that although the impact of these alternative guided tours on the city’s tourist image is currently limited, they contribute to the repositioning of the destination and enrich its ambiance.

This paper analyses the impacts brought about by the economic crisis starting in 2007 on Hungarian shopping tourism. Considering the long-term symbiotic relationship of the national retail trade and international inbound tourism, the crisis, which has affected each segment of the national economy, has also influenced both the characteristics of tourist shopping and the structure and volume of retail trade, with an indirect impact on the country's GDP. The study investigates the purchases of day-trippers arriving from neighbouring countries and focuses on changes that occurred between 2006 and 2010. The survey is based on the assumption that the sending markets have become more price-sensitive as a consequence of the crisis, and the changes brought about will be diverse, depending on the economic and social processes of each sending country. Demand is influenced by crisis management strategies, by the price–value ratio of goods and services available in the market, and by the business practices of retail companies. Based on secondary analysis of the databases of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office and the Hungarian National Bank, the paper provides an overview of how Hungarian shopping tourism was shaped by the above factors in the period of crisis.