The Hilton Garden Inn Debrecen City Center, Hungary’s first Hilton hotel outside of Budapest, has opened in the historic centre of Debrecen, next to the iconic Calvinist Church and the Calvinist College.
Debrecen Mayor László Papp stated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony that the city’s recent economic achievements had caught the attention of Hilton’s decision-makers. ‘The economy is expected to grow dynamically for many years to come, and factors such as the appeal of the city for tourists, the airport, public safety, and rising tourism figures all support the decision to build the hotel,’ the mayor added. He noted that in 2023 the number of guests and the number of overnight stays in Debrecen increased by 4 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively, making 2023 a record year for tourism.
Papp also highlighted that the tourism market has seen significant growth in 2024, with the first quarter showing a 23 per cent increase in overnight stays and a 17 per cent increase in the number of guests compared to the same period last year.
Anikó Suhajda-Molnár, CEO of Kisfaludy2030 Tourism Development Nonprofit Ltd, stated at the hotel opening ceremony that every successful tourism investment contributes to the overall strengthening of the sector.
Between January and July this year, Hungarian accommodation providers registered more than 17.8 million guest nights, nearly eight percent more than in the first six months of the record-breaking year 2023, Suhajda-Molnár noted, highlighting that Debrecen and its surroundings also contributed significantly to this growth. She added that in the first half of the year, Debrecen welcomed 100,000 guests, who spent a total of 288,000 guest nights,
generating 6.7 billion HUF in accommodation revenue for the city.
Malgorzata Morek, Hilton’s Development Director for Eastern Europe, welcomed the people of Debrecen to the Hilton family and highlighted that Debrecen is now home to one of the more than thousand Hilton hotels worldwide.
György László, managing director of the investor Tetrecen Ltd, stated that the hotel stands out not only for its prime location and impressive appearance but also for being built to the latest sustainability standards. It has been awarded LEED Gold certification, adhering to American standards.
The hotel features 101 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, and a sky bar. It also offers a fitness room, a meeting room, an underground garage, and a children’s corner.
It is interesting to note that the Hilton Budapest, which opened in 1977, was the first Hilton hotel behind the Iron Curtain. The hotel building incorporates renovated sections of a 13th-century Dominican cloister and monastery. In 2012, TripAdvisor ranked it 5th on its list of the top 10 hotel rooms in the world with the most beautiful views.
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