RIDING TOURISM IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAIN REGION

(HUNGARY): STATUS AND POTENTIAL

Réka Incze and Gábor Hevessy
University of Debrecen, Center of Agricultural Sciences
4032 Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138

Abstract
Only a small part (<10%) of the Hungarian horse stock belongs to touristically
qualified establishments; this means a notable potential for the riding tourism
development. The Northern Great Plain (as a separate region or as part of the Plain and
Lake Tisza cumulated region) is an important part of Hungary concerning the riding
tourism. The aim of the present research is give an overview of the riding tourism status
of the Great Plain region and to assess its development potentials.
In the Introduction chapter, we have assessed the importance of the tourism
and we have depicted facilities of the Northern Great Plain. In addition, we have
presented and classified certain issues regarding the riding tourism. In the following
chapter, we have described our methodologies: documentation, calculation and case
study (including also interviews and site visit).
In Results and conclusions chapter, we have presented an estimation
concerning the significance of riding tourism in Hungary. Additionally, we have
described and assessed the situation of the Northern Great Plain based on comparisons
with other Hungarian regions. Finally, we have presented some riding tourism
development aspects based on concrete examples of our case study (Debrecen Riding
Academy Ltd.).
Taking into consideration the 5-region division of Hungary, the Plain and Lake
Tisza region has the most touristically qualified riding establishments. In addition, it has
the most riding establishments with accommodation and also with roofed riding-ground.
Furthermore, here is the highest the own and the foreign horse number at qualified
establishments. The Northern Great Plain (even as a separate region) is stronger than the
Eger-Tokaj, Budapest and Balaton regions from several points of view. Concerning
certain criteria (such as the number of service types) all 5 regions show concordant
situation.
Several printed and online sources provide information concerning the
Hungarian riding tourism. The Horseshoe qualifying system assists the users to make
out riding services. The essential data are usually correct, but the details and the
translations often include errors. Several factors influence the status of riding
establishments (such as, staff, horse stock, service types, and prices); to preserve or to
develop all these factors means hard work and also new potentials.

Key Words: riding tourism, Hungary, Northern Great Plain region, Debrecen Riding
Academy.

Introduction

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 In this chapter, we have briefly presented the importance of tourism in
international and Hungarian context. Additionally, we have described the general
features of riding tourism, as well as its status within the economy of Hungary.
Furthermore, we have assessed the different conditions of the Great Plain region
inserted into a Hungarian regional comparison system.
Nowadays, tourism is one of the most developing industrial branches;
additionally, it results the highest incomes from export in the world (UNO, 2002).
Tourism offers for 127 million people possibility of work, with its share of 6 % of the
world’s GDP, i.e. each fifteenth person works in the field of tourism. If we include also
workplaces connected indirectly to tourism, then we get 260 million workplaces, i.e.
approx. 10 % of GDP (World Travel and Tourism Council, 2004). Incomes originated
from tourism achieved the value of 622 million USD in 2004 exceeding by 18.7 % the
incomes of 2003. The above mentioned data do not contain inland travels, the number
of which may be the sextuple of international travels.
Tourism also plays an important role in the economy of Hungary. The value of
the foreigners’ consumption visiting Hungary was 822 billion HUF in 2004, within
which the value of tourist consumption was 596 billion HUF. Moreover, the Hungarian
population spent 385 billion HUF on tourist services. Summing these, the value of
touristical incomes achieved 981 billion HUF. The total GDP of touristical branches is 5
% of the whole Hungarian GDP. Taking into account also multiplier impacts 8.5 % of
the Hungarian GDP originates from tourism. The number of employees employed
directly in the field of tourism was 398,000 persons in 2004, which is 8.9% of the total
employment. Taking into account multiplier impacts the mentioned proportion increases
to 12.5 %, which means that each 8th workplace has been produced by tourism.
The most popular destinations are Budapest, lake Balaton and spa resorts. The
average capacity utilisation of commercial accommodations was 39.5% in 2005. The
best utilisation, i.e. 48.2 % average utilisation was achieved by hotels. The average
utilisation of guest-houses was 22.7 %. The demand for higher quality accommodations
has increased, while the demand has decreased for lower quality services. The income
of commercial accommodation was 112.3 billion HUF and the income of hospitality
was 53.6 billion HUF and the income originated from other sources was 48.5 billion
HUF in 2005. The total income was 214.4 billion HUF, from which the share of hotels
was the highest (187.1 billion HUF). Anyway, the share of other commercial
accommodations was only 27.3 billion HUF. Accommodations are used almost by
visitors belonging to all types of tourism. Henceforth we mention only the status of the
riding tourism.
The riding tourism includes all branches of „riding and coach driving
seasonably or systematically pursued by tourists in their spare time, for hobby, for
maintaining their own health on their own at their own costs” (Fehér and Kóródi 2007).
According to the publication prepared by Magyar Turizmus Zrt. and Hungarian
Tourists’ Association (2006a) the touristically qualified riding establishments and
services presented in Table 1. can be found in Hungary.

Table 1.: touristically qualified riding establishments and services in Hungary

Number of horseshoes

2
 5 4 3 2 1 Other* Total
Qualified establishments (pcs) 15 29 32 29 27 26 158
44
Accommodation (pcs) 831 702 572 5 880 1022 4452
Roofed riding ground (pcs) 9 13 8 1 2 7 40
163 57
Own horse number (pcs) 5 778 757 4 471 1997 6212
Accommodation for foreign horses 16
(pcs) 232 359 377 6 221 649 2004
* E.g. presentation sites, horse-breeding, riding education establishments and
establishments rendering services of nomadic character.

Riding services can be divided into 3 groups according to their frequency

(Fehér and Kóródi 2007):
• frequently, generally offered services (e.g.: riding, riding education, lease
keeping, riding tour, coach driving, camping, accommodation and
catering)
• often, but not generally services offered (e.g.: cross-country riding, show
jumping, dressage, competition, presentations, hunting and riding)
• rarely offered services (e.g.: visiting horse-breeding establishments,
military)
Within the riding tourism active and passive services can be distinguished.
Active services are e.g. riding, riding education, western riding, coach driving and other
equestrian sports. Passive services are mainly presentation, e.g. presentation of races,
equestrian archery, coach driving presentation, five-in-hand and equestrian acrobatics.
Hungarian riders’ characteristics, like horse-herders’ attractions and five-in-
hand mean a special attraction both for Hungarian and foreign tourists. Horse-herders
used to guard herds of horses in the open air all the year in the plain. Nowadays horses
are rarely kept in such a way. Horse-herders maintain the tradition concerning their
tools and clothing. They use special horse-accessories, like saddles without girths and
short-stock ornamental long whip. The „five-.in-hand”, „Koch-five-in-hand” or
“Hungarian post” are daring equestrian attractions: the horse-herder is driving five or
more horses standing on the back of the last two horses.
Several groups of interest, e.g. hobby riders and their companions, persons
pursuing and organising equestrian sports, horse-breeders, resp. participants of riders’
performances, riding tours and camping are touched by the riding tourism. Furthermore,
groups rendering services connected with equestrian sports, e.g. persons or enterprises
following trades connected with horses. People belonging to different groups of interest
can be basically squaded into two big groups (Incze and Hevessy 2007). The first
groups is formed by persons touched rarely or as complementary activity by riding
services. The second group includes persons being engaged with horses as main
activity.
Nowadays riding tourism information is easily accessible in Hungary. Actual
riding services are published by different types of media, such as periodicals, radio, TV,

3
advertisement newspapers and Internet. The Internet is probably the most tailor-made,
because it offers the most flexible searching possibilities.
Enterprises rendering different riding services are co-ordinated by the
Hungarian Non-Profit Association of Riding Tourism (MLTKSZ). Aptitude test of
horses as well as the management of the horseshoe qualifying system belongs to the
tasks of the MLTKSZ. The “horseshoe” indication promotes the orientation concerning
the quality of different services. The indication of the quality extends from one to five
horseshoes depending on the character and level of the service (it is similar to the
conventional star qualifying system of hotels).
Hungary has generally good natural conditions for equestrian programmes
(Incze and Hevessy 2007). The riding tourism in the Northern Great Plain can not be
easily assessed on the basis of up-to-date data. There are 9 touristical regions in
Hungary, which are used by Magyar Turizmus Zrt in general in its inland
communication. The Regional Tourist Service Committees also operate in accordance
with this system. However, only 5 regions are used in the external (i.e. international)
communication. As a result of this cumulation, the Northern Great Plain, the Lake Tisza
and the Southern Great Plain are called commonly as Plain and Lake Tisza cumulated
region (Fig. 1.). It is a question, why some recent Hungarian publication has also only 5
regions?

Fig. 1.: Northern Great Plain and division of Hungary into 5 regions
(Source: www.itthon.hu).

The horse stock of the Northern Great Plain is nationally important. The
number of horses is 7 031 in county Hajdú-Bihar (Lóska 2001), 4 091 in county Jász-
Nagykun- Szolnok and 7 047 in county Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg. The total is 18 169
horses, which is approximately 20 % of Hungarian horse stock.
Several riding tourism services are present in the Northern Great Plain: e.g.
riding, hunter riding, dressage, military, voltage, cross-country riding, coach driving,
competitions, riding education, visiting of horse-breeding establishments, equestrian
shows. Additionally, there is catering and accommodation. In some places holiday
check and credit card can be also used.
The riding tourism conditions of the Northern Great Plain are presented
according to the elements of SWOT analyses, i.e. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities
and Threats (Lisztes 2007, Lóska 2001, Borsy 1998). The micro-relief conditions of the

4
Northern Great Plain are varied and so, both advantageous and disadvantageous
conditions for riding tourism can be found. Extending steppes, sandy terrain, landscape
having mosaic character and gently sloping terrain are advantageous; while the plain
character, the cracked structure soil are disadvantageous. The narrowing continuous
terrains and strictly protected areas may mean danger, i.e. decreasing facilities.
Anyway, the relief is suitable for a lot of equestrian programs and it makes possible to
elaborate further paths for riding and coach tours.
Concerning the weather long autumn and spring, hard winters and very hot
summers are characteristic. The weather should be taken into account during the
organization of the programs, e.g.: in summer, equestrian programs can be organized in
early hours of the morning or late the evening. Regarding surface waters, the network of
rivers is rich, here should be mention especially the Tisza. The presence of water may
also cause problems, e.g. in the case of marshes and bogs, not to mention floods. The
combination of water and riding tourism or perhaps organisation of combined
programmes may offer very interesting possibilities.
The region has a very rich fauna and flora, which may be attractive for
naturalist tourists. Near communities, cultivated lands are often predominant; these, of
course, do not attract visitors interested for natural curiosities, but these places are easily
accessible. The (riding)tourism may disturb the natural environment but undesirable
impacts can be avoided with an appropriate organization.
The Hortobágy National Park has a positive attitude towards riding tourism
within reasonable limits (Lisztes 2007, Varga 2007). The horse-breeding establishment
of Máta, being on the territory of the National Park at issue, plans to renew the stage
and to use more efficiently the roofed riding grounds. There are also weak points in the
collaboration of the national park and touristically qualified riding establishments, e.g.
defective information flow. The collaboration with the national parks could offer further
possibilities, e.g. riding system of nature protection guards.
Summarized, tourism plays an important role both in Hungarian and in world
economy. Concerning, riding tourism Hungary has advantageous conditions and within
the country the Northern Great Plain is especially suitable for this activity. Besides the
above mentioned favorable conditions and riding establishments, the riding tour path
“Puszta” is a special attraction, it is listed among the best of the world (Harpers
magazine). The horse stock, touristical riding establishments, as well as natural and
economic factors offer a good possibility for further developments.

Methods

Secondary data are obtained from documentation, while primary data are
obtained by carrying out own estimations, analyses and a case-study. The subject of the
case-study is the Debrecen Riding Academy. In the case-study, the documentation was
completed by interviews and field research (from September 2006 until January 2007).
We have considered the case-study important because through the Debrecen Riding
Academy we could present notions, types and possibilities of services by means of
actual and concrete examples. Furthermore, our objective was also to present strengths
and weaknesses, opportunities and threats trough a concrete situation. The data

5
concerning the Riding Academy are the data from 2005 and 2006 (there was no
significant difference between these 2 years). Our analyses and comparisons have been
based on the data of Magyar Turizmus Zrt. and Hungarian Riding Tourism Non-Profit
Association, and they were carried out by means of the software Microsoft Excel. In
comparisons, the conditions of the Plain and Lake Tisza cumulated region was
compared with those of the Transdanubia, Balaton, Budapest and its surroundings, as
well as with Eger-Tokaj Mountains region. Furthermore, we have assessed the
relationship between the Northern and Southern Great Plain within the Plain and Lake
Tisza cumulated region.

Results and conclusions

There are no data in literature concerning the total income originating of riding
tourism. We have made an estimation about the incomes of riding establishments
having also accommodations. The total number of nights passed in Hungary by tourists
was 19 334 750 in 2005. Taking into account the 4452 accommodations shown in Table
1., and the fact that the majority of establishments having accommodations belongs to
the category of guest-houses (the average use of which was 22.7%), the number of
nights passed by tourists is 368 870, which is 1.9 % of the total number of nights
passed by tourists. The guest-houses achieved an income of 18.8 billion HUF in 2005
with their average use of 22.7 %. This means an income of 3.3 billion HUF, which is
1.54 % of the total national income of 214.4 billion HUF (connected to commercial
accommodations).
We have assessed the situation of the Plain and Lake Tisza cumulated region in
comparison with other Hungarian regions and then, within the Plain and Lake Tisza
cumulated region the role of the Northern Great Plain. Concerning the number of
touristically qualified riding establishments the Plain and Lake Tisza cumulated region
has the first position among the 5 regions (Table 2.). Among the 55 touristically
qualified riding establishments 20 are in the Northern Great Plain, which is 12.5 % of
the total number (158) of Hungarian establishments. In the Southern Great Plain there
much more, 34 establishments, which is 21.5% of the national total number. There is
also a difference between the Northern and Southern Great Plain concerning the
categories of higher quality and so there are also proportionally more 5- or 4-horseshoe-
establishments in the Southern Great Plain. At Lake Tisza there is only one touristically
qualified establishment.

Table 2.: Touristically qualified riding establishments

Number of
horseshoes
5 4 3 2 1 Other Total
Plain and Lake Tisza cumulated region 5 14 11 7 7 11 55
Transdanubia 7 7 8 8 8 5 43
Balaton 0 4 5 1 2 3 15
Budapest and its surroundings 2 3 8 9 3 5 30
Eger-Tokaj Mountains 1 1 0 4 7 2 15

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 Concerning the number of accommodations, the status of the Great Plain is
shown in Fig. 2. The Plain and Lake Tisza cumulated region has the most (1868)
accommodations. Within this the Northern Great Plain, there are 810, and in the
Southern Great Plain 1032 accommodations.
1868
2000
1800
1434
1600
1400
1200
1000
602
800
600 309
239
400
200
0
Tisza lake
cumulated

Transdanubian

Budapest and
Balaton

Eger-Tokaj
Plain and

surroundings

Mountains
region

its

Fig. 2.: Number of accommodations of establishments having accommodations

The most of roofed riding grounds are also in the Plain and Lake Tisza
cumulated region (Fig. 3.). 10 out of 17 roofed riding grounds are in the Northern Great
Plain and so this region even as an independent region has an important status in
national comparison concerning this aspect. The most of own horses are also in the
Plain and Lake Tisza cumulated region (Fig. 4.).
17
18
16 13
14
12
10
8 6

6
3
4
1
2
0
Tisza lake
cumulated

Transdanubian

Budapest and
Balaton

Eger-Tokaj
Plain and

surroundings

Mountains
region

its

Fig. 3.: Number of roofed riding grounds in each region

7
 2500
2137
1908
2000

1288
1500

1000
512
367
500

0
Tisza lake
cumulated

Transdanubian

Budapest and
Balaton

Eger-Tokaj
Plain and

surroundings

Mountains
region

its

Fig. 4.: Number of own horses in touristically qualified riding establishments

Out of 2137 own horses 649 are in the area of the Northern Great Plain. In the
Southern Great Plain, there is about the double of this number (1743 horses). In terms of
assessed parameters, the most significant difference lies in the number of horses
between the two regions.
Concerning the number of services rendered by different establishments there
is a balanced competition among regions (Fig. 5.). The Plain and Lake Tisza cumulated
region is bigger (in terms of its territory) than the other regions. Besides good riding
conditions, the size can also influence the favorable position of the region in
comparisons with other regions.
12,7
13 12,5
12,2
12,5

12

11,1 11,3
11,5

11

10,5

10
Tisza lake
cumulated

Balaton

Budapest and

Eger-Tokaj
Mountains
Transdanubian
Plain and

surroundings
region

its

Fig. 5.: Number of service types in 5 regions.

The data concerning the riding tourism in different types of literature and
media mostly correspond to the reality, i.e. essential elements are exacts, but details
may contain errors. For instance Lóska wrote the following things about the Debrecen

8
Riding Academy in 2001: „Qualification: 3-horseshoe. The establishment is operated
with the technical supervision of the Debrecen University, Center of Agricultural
Sciences. The academy is engaged in dressage and show jumping, there is also a roofed
riding ground and there are 25 horses, which are Nonius breeds and Hungarian Sport
Horses having a medium education.” There is a mistake in the description: in the
institutions there have never been and there are no Nonius breeds. Otherwise, the
descriptions corresponds to the reality of that time. The Riding Academy is still
operated with the technical supervision of the University of Debrecen. The “only” 3-
horseshoe qualification can be attributed to the only medium education of the horses
and to the relatively new horse stock in that time.
The horseshoe qualifying system assists the orientation concerning the quality
of riding establishments. Nowadays the Debrecen Riding Academy belongs already to
the 4-horseshoe category, which is distinguished ranking (the horseshoe qualifying
system is from 1 to 5). Nowadays, the horse stock does not have a medium, but a good
education. The institution has not got the 5-horseshoe qualification, because it does not
have its own accommodation. To obtain the 4-horseshoe qualification the institution has
to correspond to lots of requirements, e.g.: environmental aspects, prescriptions of
horse-keeping, professional skill of horses, aspects related to riding services,
professional and personal factors. Furthermore, the qualification indicates that there are
many horses in the institution and the Riding Academy renders several types of service.
The number, breed, age and education of horses are very important concerning
the popularity of an institution. The institution is nowadays suitable for keeping 48
horses. In winter there are 42 to 48 and in summer 38 to 40 horses. The difference can
be attributed to the attractive force of the roofed rising ground (20 x 60 m), i.e. this
establishment offers advantageous conditions for riding (independent from the weather).
In terms of breeds, there are Gidrans, Hungarian and German Sport Horses, Shagya and
Ponies. Ten horses are owned by the University of Debrecen, while the others are in
private ownership. Nowadays, the youngest horse is 4, the oldest horse is 15 years old.
The placement of the establishment, horse stock, service types/prices and last
but not least attendants are determining aspects concerning the status of the riding
establishment. The Riding Academy is in the town, but at the same time it is in a green
belt, this is a double advantage. The riding establishment has only 4 regular staff: 2
grooms and 2 instructors. Besides the regularly employed instructors further 1 to 6
instructors work periodically in the institution. The main 3 services of the institution are
education (2200 -2800 HUF per occasion), rental keeping (40-50000 HUF per month)
and establishment use (1200-2200 HUF per horse per occasion). The number of riding
lessons is 20 to 30 lessons a week, which relates to both horses and instructors; this
means full house. There is no precise calculation concerning the number of visitors; a
daily average can be estimated as follows: 36 riders, 30 attending persons and 20
visitors. On the basis of this estimation, can be said, that the Riding Academy has about
4000 to 5000 visitors per year; 2000 of them arrive from Debrecen (and its
surroundings), a further 2000 of them from the other parts of Hungary and about 300
come from other countries.
Nowadays, a riding establishment has several possibilities to advertise its
services. For instance, the Riding Academy advertises its services in newspapers, on the

9
Internet, in radio and TV. Since there is full house, no marketing development is
planned. However, material development is probable because in winter there is a higher
demand for rental keeping and establishment use than the institution could nowadays
offer.
Besides the above mentioned development ideas, the elaboration of a “Riders’
path” offers a further, very interesting possibility in the Northern Great Plain. This path
would be based on the collaboration of riding establishments; during this path visitors
could get acquainted with the biological characteristics, different riding activities as
well as occupations connected with riding.

Literature
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Budapest: Nemzeti Tankönyvkiadó (National Education Publisher).
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United Nations, New York 2002
I.Fehér and M Kóródi. 2007. A vidéki turizmus sajátosságai (Characteristics of the rural
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R.Incze ands G.Hevessy 2007. Viszonyunk a lóhoz (Our relationship with the horse).
Agroinform. February 2007..
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Hortobágy: from value to experience). Presentation: Debrecen,
22.01.2007.
J. Lóska 2001. Az Észak-magyarországi és Észak-alföldi régió lovasturizmusának
helyzete és kibontakozásának lehetőségei (Status and possibilities of
development concerning riding tourism of Northern Hungary and
Northern Great Plain) (Regionális lovas turisztikai termékfejlesztési
tervtanulmány és programjavaslat (Preliminary study and programme
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Sarlóspuszta.
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Priorities 2004/05

Online sources
www.itthon.hu
http://www.mth.gov.hu/
www.equi.hu
www.utikonyv.hu
http://lovas.lap.hu/

Interviews
Boros Sándor. Instructor, Debreceni Lovasakadémia. Személyes interjú (Riders’
instructor, Debrecen Riding Academy, personal interview): Debrecen,
2007.01.09, 26.

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László Lisztes. Hortobágyi Nemzeti Park. Személyes interjú (National Park of
Hortobágy, personal interview): Debrecen, 22.01.2007..
Varga Emese. Mátai Ménes. Telefonos interjú (Phone interview): 2007.01.23.

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