According to Eurostat data, in ten years, during the period between 2010-2019, the number of those who can afford to go on holiday increased by almost 2.5 million compared with periods before 2010, the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Human Capacities said at a press conference held in Budapest on Wednesday.

Bence Rétvári recalled that before 2010 families were in a difficult financial situation, unemployment was on the rise, wages in the public sector were on the decrease, a monthly pension was taken away from pensioners, fringe benefits were subject to a 25 per cent tax, and instead of going on holiday in the summer, families were compelled to spend all their money on subsistence.

After 2010, however, in particular, after 2013, thanks to the government’s policy, unemployment started to decrease, the number of people in employment has risen by 800,000, with the system of Széchenyi Relaxation cards domestic travel has been made popular and affordable, while Erzsébet camps have made it financially possible for children, families and the elderly to go on holiday.

According to Eurostat data, in 2010, 35 per cent of Hungarians could afford to go on holiday; by last season, this percentage had risen to 58.5 per cent, meaning that in ten years the number of people who can afford to go on holiday has risen by almost 2.5 million. Additionally, they had far more money for holidays than before; in 2010 they spent HUF 247 billion, while last year as much as HUF 393 billion, Mr Rétvári added.

He observed that the Left had construed the Eurostat data disregarding the trends behind it, despite the fact that it is essential to look into the underlying trends.

Mr Rétvári remarked that the Eurostat data also shows that last year there was the highest increase in household expenditures in the areas of catering and culture.

He added that other data likewise underlines the fact that ever more Hungarians can afford to go on holiday, and there are ever fewer people who are unable to go on holiday for financial reasons. He mentioned as an example that the number of guest nights has risen by 61 per cent.

He also mentioned that in Hungary the number of those living in severe material deprivation has decreased by 1.5 million according to Eurostat, while the percentage of those who have reserves between HUF 70,000 to 90,000 for unexpected expenses has increased by almost 4 million.

In the European Union, the percentage of people with financial reserves has increased the most in Hungary, he added.

Mr Rétvári highlighted that the measures adopted by the government since 2010 have successfully reduced financial hardship, the number of those living in deprivation and extreme poverty has decreased, and they have created the opportunity for ever more people to save money for going on holiday.

He observed that this is why it is important to continue “the economic policy that is not based on austerity”.

(Ministry of Human Capacities / MTI)