HUNGARY GUEST OF HONOR STATUS AND STRONG BFTK PRESENCE AT THE WESTERN CHINA INTERNATIONAL FAIR FOR INVESTMENT AND TRADE

Following the agreement made between Budapest Festival and Tourism Centre (BFTK) and the global Chinese travel company Artificial Intelligence Worldwide Travel Chain (AIWTC) last weekend, the Chinese enterprise – a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence and the operator of a worldwide travel platform – undertakes selling 40,000 Budapest Cards on the Chinese market by March 2020.

The BFTK delegation travelled to China between 16-18 May 2019 to take part in the 2nd Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT), the largest investment and trade fair in Western China, organized in Chongqing, for the second time.

A sales agreement for the Budapest Card was concluded during the visit, on 17 May at the Promotional Event for Hungarian Tourism, which revolved around the theme of smart tourism and the development of air services. At the forum, Hungary was represented by Árpád Hargitai, the Budapest Card team leader, who gave a presentation on Budapest as an emerging smart destination, the planned and realized “smart solutions” in the field of tourism-mobility and the uses of Budapest Card. Tourism professionals visited AIWTC upon the invitation of the company. 

Chief networking officer Angéla Dedák held a presentation at the Hungarian-Chinese Thermal Industry Forum on 16 May, representing the Budapest Festival and Tourism Centre, during which she discussed the Budapest’s renewable tourism value, and emphasised potential business opportunities in thermal tourism for the capital.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Hungary and China, Hungary was selected as the special guest for this year’s fair, which took place in the 30-million metropolis next to the Yangtze River. Hungary participated in the event with a 200 m2 pavilion and 50 exhibitors. 

Hundreds of guests were welcomed by István Jakab, Vice-President of the Hungarian Parliament, at the opening ceremony. Fair events included the tourism-promotional presentation of Hungarian exhibitors, the presentation of New York Café, tourism panel discussions, wine tastings, folk dance and folk music performances, the 2nd Hungarian-Chinese Thermal Industry Cooperation Forum and the Bank of China Forum. The daily programme for the event featured regular sports and cultural presentations, such as a Teqball championship with the participation of young talents from local football teams. 

The foundation for a Petőfi statue was also laid in Chongqing’s Eling park during the visit.