The Good Life in Aggtelek National Park Part 47: Tourism Conference in Győr

The last time I was in Győr was 25 years ago, during my first days in Hungary. Back then, I was intensely trying to start a recycling programme in Hungary and went to meet the folks at REFLEX, the most active Hungarian NGO working on waste issues. This time it was to attend the VII International Tourism Conference organised by Western Hungarian University's Apáczai Csere János Tourism Faculty. After an intense first 10 years as an environmental activist and attending conferences all over the world, I have spent the last 15 trying, successfully up until now to avoid them. This conference, while well organised, was typical of the such conferences and I was reminded again to avoid such events for another 15 years if at all possible.

We found accommodation at the ****Famulus Hotel's cheaper apartments, which turned out to be exact replicas of the student dormitory rooms of the past 50 years, only with newer furniture and a fresh coat of paint. This was in no way the fault of the organisers - we chose this ourselves.  For the first time in my life I had to pay a 2000 HUF deposit for bed linen. The situation became absurd when we ordered food delivered (nothing in the immediate area) and discovered there were no utensils included. I thought this was great from a waste and environmental standpoint, until I went to the kitchen for some knives and forks and discovered there were none - in fact, there was not even a water glass provided let alone a kettle for an instant morning coffee. The caveman eating experience was softened by generous helpings of my boss Zsolt's fine apple palinka. I brought earplugs, he brought palinka. The palinka was far more effective against snores.

For the most part, the international section I was assigned to attend was completely off the topic of tourism. Even so, there were some interesting items mentioned during the course of the day that seem obvious now, but I had not taken into account during my work. Dr. Zoltán Budai reminded us that US workers only get 2 weeks holiday as opposed to 5 in Europe. Consequently, most tourists traveling "all the way" here are either senior citizens or students, who have far more free time. Cruises (along with medical tourism) make up for a large part of the senior tourism. However, the way cruises are set up with food and accommodation all-inclusive, these tourists only spend money on shopping. How do we get them to come earlier or stay longer after the cruise? In addition, now up to 95% of all travel is planned on-line.

Dr. János Gundel spoke about multiculturalism in Hungarian gastronomy. I was shocked to learn that the traditional Hungarian lecsó dish is only a few decades old and dates from when thick-fleshed peppers from Bulgaria began entering the Hungarian market in the 1930s. He also mentioned that pork consumption in Hungary soured during the Ottoman occupation because being Muslims, the Turks did not confiscate it for themselves.

Everyone used Power Point slides - how I curse the inventors of this software, one and all. The software itself is not the problem. The problem is that no one knows how to use it properly. Everyone tends to turn their backs and look at the screen, not at the audience. Moreover, they read from the screen. If I wanted someone to read to me, I would prefer Dr. Seuss or Winnie the Pooh. Otherwise, if you are going to read your speech to me, just send me the link by email and save us all from torture. At most, Power Point can be used to highlight a speech with additional material. At worst, it is a boring crutch.

But, to end on a positive note. The pogácsa (Hungarian biscuits or scones) were the best I have ever eaten. For the last 2 decades, Marikanéni in Perkupa has held this title with no competition. I think she might have just been dethroned. Likewise, I completely expected a vegetarian lunch of the usual fried cheese or fried mushrooms with canned veggies. Instead, I had an excellent meal of fried tofu and stir-fried peppers. One of the organisers was even kind enough to pack me a some pogacsa for the road.