The more we know Budapest, the more we love it – and this sentiment is shared among many city residents, according to a representative study by Vodafone 4G, commissioned at the request of the Budapest Essentials urban festival. Nearly one-third of the Hungarian population has never been to Budapest, and 27% of them only visited the capital a couple of times. Nevertheless, the vast majority of those who know the city well (77%) express being proud of Budapest, and nearly nine out of ten respondents (85%) think that the city has surprises in store even for its own residents. With the above data in mind, it is not surprising that nearly half of the respondents (49%) consider Budapest to be the best capital in Europe, and many (40%) think that it is one of the most liveable places in the world. However, others believe that there is still much work to do for Budapest to reach the forefront of European standards. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents would expand Budapest’s green areas, and they attach great importance to the development of public transportation and bicycle paths. Incidentally, there is a serious difference in opinion apparent in most questions that concern the future of Budapest between the younger and older respondents: for example, 16% of the 18-29 age group wishes that skyscrapers would be added to the silhouette of the city, while 97% of those over age 50 do not even want to hear about this idea.
In the perspective of those under age 30, Budapest is a city of opportunities: 53% of those aged 18-29 agree with the statement that the opportunities offered by the capital keep many young people from emigrating. Older people see this matter in a gloomier light, as well: only a quarter of those aged 50-59 consider life in Budapest as attractive. Still, there are some questions with common agreement: almost everyone misses conscious brand-building and a mature tourism concept. According to the survey, the vast majority (86%) of the respondents think that developing a professional image of Budapest is yet to come, and that the communication campaigns promoting the capital could do much better. Every second respondent thought that the development of Budapest is primarily thanks to the creative people living in the city, but even more of them (56%) attributed the results to the support from the European Union.
According to the survey, nearly two-thirds of the respondents consider Budapest a genuine festival city, and think that this makes it very attractive to foreigners. At the same time, a large-scale event could boost domestic tourism, as well. 77% of the respondents would gladly participate in events held at World Heritage sites or other special venues in Budapest. This year, Budapest Essentials organized concerts/parties at even more special venues, including the Capital Circus, the Várkert Bazaar, the Railway Museum or the Zwack Unicum Factory Yard.
Last year’s party at the Great Market Hall will return, but the Downtown Market, the Amusement Park, and Margaret Island are among the venues of Budapest Essentials, as well.
Speaking of Margaret Island, we can proudly mention the #köszibudapest campaign as well, which is bringing together the emblematic figures of the city. Artistic photos of actors, creatives, artists, musicians, athletes, and politicians, all taken by Márk Viszlay, will be exhibited at the Budapest Essentials festival center on Margaret Island.
We Love Budapest is actively involved in the campaign as well, so soon you will be able to read short interviews with some of the exciting people who fuel the buzz of Budapest. In the meantime, let us present the 27 people who were pleased to join the campaign: Adél Jordán Alexandra Szalay-Bobrovniczky Andi Gáldi Vinkó András Tóth Bálint Adorjáni Csongor Bozó Ervin Hervé-Lóránth Éva Bay Franciska Farkas Gábor Manek Csete Kata Bánhalmi Krisztián Éder Krisztián Huszár László Péter Lili Nóra Hőrich Márk Lakatos Márk Viszlay Márton Buda Nóra Matisz Péter Szűcs Regina Papp Tamás Kimmel Szabó Tekla Tankó Viktória Hitka Zádor Szőke Zoltán Havasi Zsófi Rainer
