The contribution of tourism to well-being and welfare: the case of Hungary

Abstract

In the process of achieving well-being and welfare, tourism may act as a stimulus on many levels. Based on two national surveys conducted by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office in 2007, and by the Geographical Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the Kodolanyi Janos University of Applied Sciences, the paper explores the influence of tourism on the Hungarian society's perception of well-being and welfare. The research findings indicate that although various benefits of tourism are acknowledged, it is not considered a crucial component of one's quality of life. The analysis of socio-cultural factors indicates that age and financial circumstances affect the contribution of tourism to well-being: a person's financial situation and age determine, to a great extent, the role of travel in their life, and consequently also influences the function of travel as a happiness-inducing factor.well-being, welfare, quality of life, tourism, Hungary, sociocultural factors, age, financial circumstances, travel,