‘Thermal waters are found instead of petroleum’

Hungarian health resorts instead of Tatar?

The consul of Hungary Laszlo Daroczi started the presentation of the tourist potential with metaphors: 'There are countries that are supposed to be happy. It is where petroleum is found while boring. But we found thermal waters instead of petroleum'. In fact, the presentation was about thermal waters. The consul had noted that they see a positive dynamics of Hungary-Russia relationships and follow the life in Tatarstan with interest.

A specialist from St. Petersburg, author of 'Resorts of Hungary through Russian specialists' eyes', candidate of Medical Sciences Marina Mamaeva was invited for the presentation of the resorts of Hungary. According to Mamaeva, treatment in Hungary is a cheaper alternative to treatment in Germany and Israel. As the specialist estimates, the price margin is 2-3 fold. And Hungary is not often known because of a sweeping ad placed by other countries.

According to Mamaeva, treatment in Hungary is a cheaper alternative to treatment in Germany and Israel

Mamaeva's speech was dedicated to different advantages of treatment in this country. Having noted that in all cases specialist's consultancy is needed, she told that both Hungarian many thermal sources, mineral water, therapeutic muds and salts and attractive prices and the presence of rich tourist and entertainment programmes please. Many things were told about the places that were worth a visit. Hévíz is one of them. It is a lake, one of a kind, which is available throughout the year.

Without direct flight and visa application centre

However, several factors made the accessibility of the advertised resorts difficult. No direct flight and procedure of obtaining a Schengen visa are among them.

As the deputy consul general of Hungary in Kazan Mr. Daroczi said to the correspondent of Realnoe Vremya, the negotiations on direct flights are held with the Hungarian-Polish low-cost Wizz Air airline. It had been told about it in January 2016, but nothing concrete has appeared at present. 'This issue is on the agenda, at the approval stage, so to speak,' tells the interlocutor of the newspaper.

The official consulate of Hungary to Kazan was opened in March last year. But the visa application centre has not appeared yet.

'We hope this problem will be solved in autumn this year. The process of approval, obtaining all document is very long,' Mr. Daroczi noted.

Laszlo Daroczi: 'Hungary was popular among Russian tourists'. Photo: naviny.by

Nowadays a visa for Hungary can be obtained in Kazan and Naberezhnye Chelny via only one organization – Pony Express Courier Company. Otherwise, people should go to Moscow for fingerprinting. Hungary is not represented in visa application centres. According to the deputy consul, Hungary has a potential in Russia. The possibility of quick and cheap way to Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro plays a role too.

'In general, Hungary was popular among Russian tourists. But Hungary suffered from unfavourable conditions of recent years – the statistics dropped,' the speaker notes.

'Taking into account the falling ruble, the people have to remember about ruble zones'

The correspondent of Realnoe Vremya asked for representatives of tourist agencies' opinion about these destinations.

• 

  Sergey Pasechnik director general of Companion SP

  We have met with the airline three times (Editor's Note: Wizz Air), they asked for our opinion, and we honestly answered. The process is going on. Undoubtedly, Hungary is a relatively inexpensive destination that has a good health bases, excursions and cuisine. But the question is whether the flight will be full as the airline wishes. It takes 2-3 years to make it work. And it is still doubtful whether it will work. There is not a flow to Turkey. But people should go somewhere. Crimea and Sochi started to appear. The people are reoriented to domestic tourism by all means. It is also a competition. Taking into account the falling ruble, the people have to remember about ruble zones.

• Tatiana Ganeyeva sales manager of Persona Grata

  It will be interesting when the direct flight from Kazan to Budapest starts, now – it is not. At the moment, this destination doesn't fit concerning not only its price but also the time it takes to get there – the flight is very long. If there is a 3,5-hour direct flight, it will be profitable and interesting, especially for pensioners who would like to receive treatment there.

• 

  Rustem Tarzimanov sales director of Salavat City Center

  This direction is very interesting, of course. Our tourists went to Budapest for 3-4 days literally today. They will live on Margaret Island. The destination has a great potential because even Budapest can combine excursions and treatment centres. The very city has many hotels with thermal waters – no need to leave the hotel. There are separate baths, so people can live in a hotel and go there. This destination is interesting because it is cheap even today, when euro rate is high. It is will be cheaper in comparison with Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

  Hungarian resorts cannot compete with our health resorts because their water gives a better curative effect. Moreover, for instance, there is Lake Balaton. I don't know any place with thermal water, which is, by the way, is mineral too. If only in Kamchatka. But choosing, Hungary is closer and probably cheaper. And our resorts can be an alternative, but it is a price issue. Here one doesn't need any visa or to go anywhere. Speaking about Mineralnye Vody (Mineral Waters), one can get there by plane. The prices are comparable, in principle. Hungary would be 20-30% more expensive.