STRENGTHENING THE POSITION OF ANGLING TOURISM IN THE TOURISM SECTOR OF HUNGARY

Abstract

Among the alternative touristic activities with steadily growing popularity, ecotourism is of
growing significance. Ecotourism is beneficial from several aspects for the destinations, by
utilising resources that may not offer direct economic advantage for the local communities
otherwise, and all this in a sustainable manner, without the danger of damaging or annihilating
(consuming) the natural resources. Hungary has excellent (and so far mostly underutilised)
endowments in a specific touristic activity on the border of ecotourism and activity-based
tourism: this is angling tourism. There are several promising initiatives that can serve as best
practices for those interested in becoming angling tourism service providers. The largest nongovernmental organisation of Hungary, the Hungarian National Angling Association, with its
approximately 800,000 members, has launched several initiatives assisting angling tourism in
the recent years (successful lobbying activity for the prohibition of large-scale commercial
fishing on natural waters; servicing and advising for member associations; contribution to the
purchase and stocking of indigenous fish species etc.). The paper is a brief analysis of the
potential of angling tourism in Hungary, also mentioning the broader correlations of ecotourism
and activity-based tourism in the introductory chapter.