Bogács on the map: from spa tourism to a brand in its own right?

Abstract

The research aims to examine the tourism appeal and marketing potential of Bogács. Its central question is whether the supply solely based on the thermal bath is sufficient to build an independent destination brand or whether it can only play a complementary role in regional tourism. The project work of three student groups (Eszterházy Károly Catholic University) provided the foundations for this research, including social media materials and interviews with three prominent people, along with data from the Central Statistical Office. The findings revealed that the tourism offerings of Bogács are almost exclusively linked to thermal water, while wine, gastronomy, event tourism, and cultural and natural values only play a complementary role. The lack of high-class accommodation poses the main obstacle for the settlement becoming an independent brand. Consequently, despite its proximity to Eger, Bogács can become a strong tourism brand if targeted infrastructure developments, differentiated brand building, cycling, equestrian and event tourism along with infrastructural developments around the fishing lake are realised.