Regional Development Minister Tibor Navracsics compares Balaton and Florida in his article published on Mandiner, and points out that both places are often described only as resorts, although both are much more than that. He sees Lake Balaton as not only a holiday destination, but also the scene of the everyday life of the people who live there, which is, however, increasingly sad:
the region is one of the regions struggling with the worst demographic processes, due to the emigration of young people and the moving in of old people.
Due to the lack of jobs and the high cost of real estate, young people are forced to leave their homeland, and they face difficulties in starting a family.
The problems of Lake Balaton and the business opportunities of the region will be discussed in detail at our professional program, where Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Regional Development, will also present!
In his article, he writes that the majority of jobs in the region are linked to tourism, which fluctuates more and more due to its seasonal nature. The length of stay of tourists has now been decreasing for the fourteenth year, reaching a twenty-year low of 2.88 days in 2022.
As a result, in the last ten years, the population of working age has decreased by 26,000 people, the size of a medium-sized city, but the proportion of elderly people is much higher than the national average.
According to Tibor Navracsics, we must break with the common misconception that Lake Balaton is only a resort, and we must do everything to make it livable for the people who live there. According to the article, for example, the secret of Florida’s success is that it is not just a retirement paradise, but a robust regional economy of the United States. He believes that we should think similarly about Lake Balaton and take measures that ensure the long-term development of the region and the prosperity of the people living there.
Cover image source: Portfolio
