P OSSIBLE SOURCES OF DEVELOPMENT

In the last two decades significant developments took place in the region. New or totally modernized (Tiszaújváros, Eger, Egerszalók, Miskolc, Sárospatak Demjén) or partially renovated baths (Bogács, Mezőkövesd) can be found in the region but several old fashioned resorts have definitely less visitors than 20-30 years ago. It can be a good question where the further sources of investments can come from. I think this question can be answered better on (micro)-regional level. A settlement is often has so few tourist attractions that a combination of a bigger area can attract tourists more effectively for a bit longer stay.

In my earlier research „The processes of regional tourism context, in particular the North- Hungarian region‟ with the help of principal component analysis I was able to group the indicators that are associated with the development of the number of guest nights. Four factors were crated:

1. economic activity factor 2. tourism supply factor

3. regional attractiveness factor 4. regional social situation factor

The “tourism supply” and “economic activity” factors appeared significantly in the model based on the results of the principal component analysis. The model can explain the specific values of the micro-regional guest night numbers at 68.3%. It is not appropriate to judge the micro-regions‟ position exclusively on the basis of that categorization, since the values of the categories range between considerably wide boundaries; therefore, I classified the micro- regions using cluster analysis.

The Eger micro-region is a distinct „group‟ on the basis of the eigenvalues of the “economic activity” and “tourism supply” factors, where the “economic activity” and “tourism supply” are above average. The micro-region‟s level of “economic activity” is more favorable than its (at regional level) already outstanding “tourism supply”. The capital necessary to develop tourism supply may come from internal sources as well. There are investors from outside due to its fame, visitor turnover and growth potential, and further investment is expected. It is necessary to improve the efficiency of the sector, to enhance the region‟s (foreign) recognition and to establish new (artificial) tourism attractions in order to keep up the pace of growth.

The Tokaj micro-region is a similar „group‟ with its, outstanding tourism supply (for the region), that far outweighs its economic potential. The resources of tourism development come from the region only to a lesser extent. There are a significant number of domestic and foreign investors, primarily in the area of wine production and accommodation, due to its growth potential as well as the domestic and international awareness of the name “Tokaj”. There is a chance to gain resources for the establishment of new/artificial attractions from state sources in order to enhance to a greater extent the micro-region‟s visitor turnover. Due to the nature of the tendering systems, primarily local governmental initiatives will bring quality change in the region.

Fig. 4 Northern Hungary‟s micro-regions on the basis of the eigenvalues of the „Economic activity” and „Tourism supply” factors, Source: Own calculations based on HCSO data

Miskolc and Tiszaújváros micro-regions‟ tourism supply significantly falls short of their economic performance. The capital necessary for tourism development may come only partly from internal resources. Developments implemented several years ago have had their effects on the Tiszaújváros micro-region. The level of development of the tourism sector, however, does not justify the appearance of a large number of investors from outside. I view the greatest opportunities in the area of developing services and attractions related to the Tisza River in order to maintain growth, since this kind of „through traffic‟ is less likely to interfere with the industrial nature of the region. The development necessary for further growth is expected from the local government of Tiszaújváros.

The Sátoraljaújhely micro-region is alone in its group with around-average “economic activity” and above-average “tourism supply”. The development of tourism supply seems to have come to a halt in the past 4-5 years; therefore, it is likely that the number of guests cannot be significantly increased without the continuous involvement of resources (primarily from grant funding). Only developments of minor volume, necessary for tourism development, may come from regional resources.

The Gyöngyös and Sárospatak micro-regions have about-average economic opportunities and about-average “tourism supply”. The Sárospatak micro-region is in the period of dynamic growth, the Gyöngyös micro-region is in a period of slight decline. Only minor investments are expected from internal resources; they can expect central regional development sources for maintaining and launching growth.

The Salgótarján, Balassagyarmat, Kazincbarcika and Hatvani micro-regions‟ about-average “economic activity” is coupled with below-average “tourism supply”. Their low-level tourism performance is stagnating, or shows the signs of decline. Investments necessary for tourism

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developments of minor significance can be financed rather from internal resources. The micro-regions have to designate those narrow areas of development that carry the chances for sustainable tourism growth (e.g. villages in extraordinary landscapes at the foot of the Bükk Mountains). An increase of the significance of tourism cannot be expected without the systematic cooperation of local governments and micro-regional centers.

The tourism supply of Bélapátfalva, Pétervására, Abaúj-hegyköz, Füzesabony micro-regions far outweighs the economic opportunities. The Abaúj-hegyköz micro-region is in the period of fast growth, whereas the Bélapátfalva micro-region is in the period of slowing growth. The signs of decline can be experienced in the Pétervására and Füzesabony micro-regions. The sources of the further development of tourism can come almost exclusively from external, primarily domestic resources. The narrow sources of the local governments and the small number of highly skilled professionals form a barrier to winning tender sources. Further results can be expected from investment incentive, investment supporting programs that promote regional tourism potential.

The Mezőkövesd, Rétság, Szécsény micro-regions have less significant “tourism supply” than the previous group but have somewhat more favorable economic potential. The Mezőkövesd micro-region is in the period of dynamic development, the Rétság micro-region in „revitalization‟, whereas the Széchenyi micro-region is in decline. The Mezőkövesd micro- region is on growth track B due to its tourism supply; the regional significance of tourism is less significant in the other two cases. It is predominantly the Mezőkövesd micro-region that can expect grant funding; in the case of the other two, their location near Budapest and utilizing the Old Village of Hollókő and its Surround-ings to a greater extent may bring results. The Mezkövesd micro-region, capitalizing on its excellent availability, should expand its catchment area, both inside and outside the region.

The Heves, Mezőcsát, Bodrogköz, Szikszó and Encs micro-regions belong to those lagging behind in the national rank on the basis of their economic power. Their tourism supply and performance is negligible, which is even coupled with decline. There is a small chance for the regional-level development of tourism. The Mezőcsát and Heves micro-regions are in the best position, as they can utilize their excellent accessibility, the proximity of Lake Tisza and a thermal water supply. The tourism developments can come almost exclusively outside the region. In my opinion, only isolated development can be expected. For the majority of the micro-region‟ settlements, it would be worth trying to find other means of encouraging development/growth.

The “tourism supply” and economic performance of the Bátonyterenye, Pásztó, Szerencs, Edelény and Ózd micro-regions are deeply below average. The visitor turn-over is negligible compared to the population, and processes of marginalization have been typical for long years. Apart from some exceptions (e.g. Edelény), significant tour-ism investments cannot be expected from internal and external (private or budgetary) resources. Special attention has to be paid in the case of tourism development so that the criteria of sustainability are complied with. The Szerencs micro-region undeservedly belongs to this group, since its settlements belonging to the wine-region, the architectural and cultural heritage of Szerencs would justify tourism development. The development of the micro-region‟s accommodation supply is reasonable, especially in the core area of the Tokaj Wine Region (historic cultural landscape - World Heritage Site) [4].

CONCLUSION

The last two decades have brought significant mostly positive changes to the operation of the thermal baths in Hungary. Thanks to the Széchenyi Plan and the National Development Plan several baths were refurbished and modernized. However we can not be satisfied intense competition can be expected in the near future but effective service development and marketing communication can provide a competitive advantage. The region‟s economic

situation can be a barrier for the further development which can be eliminated by the external investors. Health tourism can be an attractive investment field in its complexity. There are good examples, the realization of well-thought-out business plans brought success in many cases (Demjén, Tiszaújváros)

REFERENCES

[1] [1] Aquaprofit Műszaki, Tanácsadási és Befektetési Rt.: Országos Egészségturizmus Fejlesztési Stratégia. (National Health Tourism Development Strategy) 2007. május 30. 173 p.

[2] [2] Dr. Budai Zoltán: Marketing a fürdőfejlesztésben. (Marketing in the case of thermal baths development) Turizmus Bulletin VI. évfolyam 1. szám 2002. http://itthon.hu/site/upload/mtrt/Turizmus_Bulletin/02_01/SZ3.HTM

[3] [3] Dr. Budai Zoltán: A Széchenyi Terv keretében megvalósuló egészségturisztikai fejlesztések első félévének eredményei. (Health tourism developments of the The Széchenyi Plan first half results) Turizmus Bulletin V. évfolyam 3. szám, 2001. http://itthon.hu/site/upload/mtrt/Turizmus_Bulletin/01_09/Sz3.htm

[4] [4] Péter Zsolt: A turizmus térségi folyamatainak összefüggései, különös tekintettel az Észak-magyarországi régióra. (Issues of the regional processes of tourism with special regard to northern Hungary) PhD disszertáció Miskolc, 2010. 180 p.

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