Connections Luxury hosts first Explore Hungary networking event

Hungarian tourism bosses praised the “extremely encouraging” response from delegates at the inaugural edition of Explore Hungary with Connections Luxury.

 

The three-day event in Budapest last month showcased Hungarian culture, gastronomy, craftsmanship and contemporary luxury to an international travel trade audience.

 

It was hosted by Visit Hungary and Connections Luxury to strengthen Hungary’s profile within the international luxury travel market.

 

Connections Luxury is part of the portfolio of Aspire owner Jacobs Media and has a global community with a combined buying power of $7.8 billion.

 

The luxury travel professionals were able to meet representatives from leading Hungarian hotels, destination partners and experience providers for three days of one-to-one meetings, immersive experiences and destination-led networking.

 

The event opened with a Danube experience hosted by Duna Cruises and a rooftop welcome reception at Aria Hotel Budapest, a music-inspired luxury hotel close to St Stephen’s Basilica.

 

The first full day was hosted at Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa, originally known as one of the largest telecommunications centres in Eastern and Central Europe at the beginning of the 20th century.

 

The hotel held one-to-one meetings, with Hungarian experiences woven throughout the programme, such as a wine tasting by Sauska Wineries & Restaurants; a beauty experience from Lip Bar by Toman; a heritage tasting with the House of Unicum; confectionery from Szamos; Matyó embroidery with Matyodesign; lavender skincare from Creem; hand-finished design from Viktoriavarga; Hamerli’s glove-making heritage; and suite-led hospitality experiences at Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa.

 

The day concluded with an evening reception at W Budapest, within the restored Drechsler Palace on Andrássy Avenue, formerly home to the Institute of Ballet.

 

The following day continued at Café Gerbeaud, whose story dates back to 1858, followed by a tasting at Onyx Restaurant, a city tour by Imagine Budapest, and dining at Gundel Restaurant.

 

Insights from delegates during the event showed how they “responded strongly” to the country’s cultural depth, architectural heritage, gastronomy, wine, wellness traditions, high-end short-break potential and distinctive destination experiences, said Connections Luxury.

 

The findings pointed to a destination that offers the international travel trade “a rich combination” of historic setting, contemporary hospitality, local craft, culinary identity and immersive experiences – and a strong appetite from buyers and suppliers to deepen their understanding of Hungary’s luxury product.

 

Delegates were hosted across a portfolio of luxury hotels, including Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel; Kimpton BEM Budapest; Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapes; and W Budapest.

 

Máté Terjék, head of international markets at Visit Hungary, said: “Explore Hungary with Connections was created to give international luxury travel professionals a deeper and more personal understanding of what Hungary can offer their clients.

 

“Over the course of the programme, delegates experienced Budapest through its hotels, culture, gastronomy, heritage, design and hospitality, while also building direct relationships with Hungarian partners.

 

“The response has been extremely encouraging. It showed that Hungary’s cultural and architectural depth, culinary identity, wine, wellness and distinctive experiences are resonating strongly with the luxury travel trade.

 

“This gives us a valuable platform to continue developing Hungary’s presence in the high-end travel market and to support our partners in bringing more international luxury business to the destination.”

 

Sam Blunsdon, commercial director at Connections Luxury, said: “This first edition showed exactly why destination-led engagement matters. Delegates were not simply hearing about Hungary, they were experiencing it through its people, its venues, its craftsmanship and its hospitality.

 

“What stood out was the strength and breadth of Hungary’s luxury story. From the Danube and Andrássy Avenue to historic cafés, contemporary hotels, wine, gastronomy, wellness and local craft, the programme gave delegates a clear sense of how Hungary can be shaped into compelling luxury itineraries for their clients.

 

“Visit Hungary has been an exceptional partner in shaping a programme that felt commercially valuable, culturally rich and genuinely reflective of the destination.

 

“Together, we have created a strong platform for future engagement between Hungary and the international luxury travel trade.”

 

Connections Luxury thanked Visit Hungary as host destination; host hotels Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel, Kimpton BEM Budapest, Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest and W Budapest; programme partners Duna Cruises, Aria Hotel Budapest, Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa, Café Gerbeaud, W Budapest, Gundel Restaurant, Sweet Travel Private Tours and Imagine Budapest; and the Hungarian experience partners.