The CEO of Kisfaludy 2030 Turistikai Nonprofit Fejlesztő Zrt. called tourism the driving force of the Hungarian economy on Tuesday at the inauguration of the four-star hotel on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street in Debrecen.
Péter Horváth reminded that in 2019 tourism accounted for 14% of GDP, we would like to reach this ratio again next year.
The HUF 8.2 billion investment of the four-star, 155-room business hotel was supported by the Hungarian government with more than HUF 3.4 billion through the Kisfaludy program – the event was held on the occasion that the contractors reached the highest point of the hotel building.
147 projects received HUF 19.2 billion in Debrecen and 1,150 projects in Hajdú-Bihar received HUF 37 billion in grants from the Kisfaludy program, the CEO said, mentioning that in addition to 186 renovated rooms, 427 new hotel rooms will be created at the county seat.
Gyula Szűcs, the chairman and CEO of Szinorg Universal Zrt., who owns the builder Bajcsy-Invest Kft., said that with the construction of the downtown hotel, the first international hotel industry brand, the Mercure hotel chain, will appear in Debrecen.
László Papp, the mayor of Debrecen, spoke about the fact that the city is “facing a strong tourist autumn”. According to him, there will be a full house in all hotels this weekend as well, the number of guest nights increased by 11 percent in the summer compared to last year, and the autumn reservations show an even higher proportion. At the same time, there are currently about a thousand rooms missing in Debrecen, which is somewhat alleviated by the hotels under construction, he added.
Lajos Kósa, the Fidesz Member of Parliament for the region, called the investment of the Mercure hotel the first step in the Golden Bull block rehabilitation, followed by the renovation of the Golden Bull Hotel in the investment of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium. There will be underground parking in the area and the Jewish Quarter will be renewed as well. In the next 4-5 years, this will be one of the largest mass rehabilitations in Debrecen, added the former mayor of Debrecen.
The future Mercure hotel with a floor area of 3,300 square meters will have 155 rooms with 310 beds in addition, the facility will house a restaurant, bar and lounge with almost 120 seats, as well as an open restaurant terrace. In addition, a 120-seat conference room and an underground garage will be built.
Mercure is a mid-range hotel brand created in France in 1973 and purchased by Accor in 1975. Mercure operates 810 hotels in 63 countries.
The business hotel in Debrecen is planned to be completed next summer.
MTI
Photos: László Papp / Lajos Kósa
