UNWTO statistics: Hungary wins "Best European Travel Destination 2015"

▲ Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest (Photo / Wikipedia)

By Rita

2015 was a turbulent year for Europe, marked by issues such as migration, economic hardship, and the Paris terrorist attacks. Yet, the map of the tourism industry has also quietly changed. The country that saw the most rapid increase in European visitors during the year might not be what you'd imagine. According to a year-end report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), it’s Hungary!

There are many sights to see in Hungary, which is home to numerous historical sites, including Jewish heritage landmarks and architectural works of art.

According to the report, Hungary's tourist numbers increased by 19.1% in the first three quarters of 2015. In comparison, Central and Eastern Europe as a whole saw a 6.6% rise, and all of Europe recorded a 5.1% increase. Slovakia came in second place with a 13.3% rise, while Ireland ranked third with a 12.8% increase.

Tourism has now become one of the main pillars of Hungary’s economy.