Prime Minister Viktor Orbán believes that the development of tourism and the exploration of nature is an important part of the building of the country, which must not be ignored even amidst the protection of the country.

The Prime Minister stressed in his speech made at the inauguration ceremony of the Galyatető tourist centre in reference to the migration crisis that the country must be protected, and in this there is no room for compromise; at the same time, the Government cannot give up on taking care of normal affairs of life.

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The development of the exploration of nature is an important part of this which “allows us to indeed claim this country for ourselves”, and renders it possible to make even the remotest points of Hungary habitable and accessible, Mr Orbán said. Regarding the refurbished Galyatető tourist centre, he pointed out that it is among the best even compared to any of the advanced European countries.

The Prime Minister stressed: the financial programmes of the next few years must be devised now also in the field of the exploration of nature, and he therefore encouraged the Hungarian Hiking Association, civil-society organisations, the municipalities concerned, forestry societies and churches “to put their ideas together”, and to present them to the Government so they can be accommodated in the various development plans.

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István Garancsi, President of the Hungarian Hiking Association reiterated: the current programme has been implemented through the cooperation of forestry societies and civil-society organisations over a period of two and a half years. In his words, the crown jewels of the project are the Galyatető tourist centre, and the nearby refurbished lookout tower.

“Today we have not only opened a building, but we sincerely hope that we are also presenting a new model relating to the operation of the complex”, Mr Garancsi said.

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László Jung, Chief Executive of Egererdő Zrt., the consortium partner of the Hungarian Hiking Association reiterated: the forest equally plays a conservation, management and public welfare role. He pointed out that even amidst the most austere management plans, we cannot give up on the product of the forest that is capable of continuously renewing itself: the tree. At the same time, the forest is one of the most important carbon-dioxide regulators of the atmosphere, he added.

He also highlighted that forests preserve a great many geological, hydrological, botanical, zoological, cultural and historical values. Mr Jung takes the view that the more advanced a society, the more time its members spend on recreational activities and relaxation. The Chief Executive pointed out: the company has spent HUF 2.1 billion on developments since 2010.

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At the press conference held after the inauguration ceremony, Tamás József Győri, Director of the Hungarian Hiking Association said: they have used more than HUF 800 million for developments in the North-Hungary region of the National Blue Ring renewed from funding worth almost three billion forints. The refurbishment of the Galyatető tourist centre and the lookout tower formed part of this, but other infrastructure developments have also been carried out in the region.

Csaba Dobre-Kecsmár, Deputy Chief Executive of Egererdő Zrt. said: the height of the lookout tower which was originally 17 metres has been increased by 13 metres, and its highest point is therefore now at just 1,000 metres. The refurbishment and extension cost HUF 70 million.

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The refurbishment and enlargement of the tourist centre operated by the Association cost HUF 460 million. There is accommodation in the centre for 22 people in double bedrooms and bedrooms for four. Additionally, another 32 tourists can be accommodated in the building. A room was further built which is specifically reserved for physically handicapped people, and there is an area for camping as well.

In addition, the tourist centre, which also functions as pilgrimage accommodation, features communal spaces, a laundry facility, a bistro restaurant, a tourist equipment shop and a meditation room. The building is energy-efficient: it has been equipped with a thermal pump, solar panels and solar thermal collectors.

(Prime Minister's Office/MTI)