Flybalaton
Aug 31st 2012, 9:31 am
#256
I bite my thumb at thee
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,479
Re: Flybalaton
My dad used to have a timeshare in Calpe, Spain. Presently my son lives in Mallorca, married to a Mallorcan girl with 3 grandsons. My wife & I visit 3 or 4 times a year and occupy villas on the same complex as his; most are owned by Brits. All of them have a big house file showing where to go, what shops speak English, good restaurants etc. I see no reason why if we ever did what I (and perhaps others before me) suggested, we could not give each holidaymaker a similar pack. Also a Balaton Brits reps rota would ensure any requests for help would be furnished.
Most holidaymakers want the sun, sea (or Balaton), decent not too adventurous food and some cheapish booze. The market would be for families on perhaps 1/2 board (felpanzio?), not boozy groups of youngsters; leave them to the stag/hens in Budapest and Prague.
If this developed, not only would there be flights to Balaton, but Brits buying properties. My son calls himself "The British Plumber", only works within 5 miles of Cala d'Or and has 600 CUSTOMERS! All brits with holiday homes. there's a lesson for us all.
Most holidaymakers want the sun, sea (or Balaton), decent not too adventurous food and some cheapish booze. The market would be for families on perhaps 1/2 board (felpanzio?), not boozy groups of youngsters; leave them to the stag/hens in Budapest and Prague.
If this developed, not only would there be flights to Balaton, but Brits buying properties. My son calls himself "The British Plumber", only works within 5 miles of Cala d'Or and has 600 CUSTOMERS! All brits with holiday homes. there's a lesson for us all.
It might be worth you seeing if you could arrange a meeting with the mayor of Heviz as a starting point to find out what their 2013 marketing plans are regards UK tourists. Maybe they are already in negotiations with one of the budget airlines.
Aug 31st 2012, 9:39 am
#257
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Szentgyorgyvolgy, Zala
Posts: 41
Re: Flybalaton
in my opinion, to get any kind of government organisation involved is the kiss of death, wrong mindset.
in terms of investment, i've no idea, it depends on how many guarantees each organisation (airline, hotels, tour buses, ATOL agent) want. if little or no, the actual money up front may only be a few thousand..between 15-20 people, very little. most are interested in an investment that can produce a return (and even better, one that they can participate in). who knows? try a poll.
in terms of investment, i've no idea, it depends on how many guarantees each organisation (airline, hotels, tour buses, ATOL agent) want. if little or no, the actual money up front may only be a few thousand..between 15-20 people, very little. most are interested in an investment that can produce a return (and even better, one that they can participate in). who knows? try a poll.
Aug 31st 2012, 1:26 pm
#258
I bite my thumb at thee
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,479
Re: Flybalaton
in my opinion, to get any kind of government organisation involved is the kiss of death, wrong mindset.
in terms of investment, i've no idea, it depends on how many guarantees each organisation (airline, hotels, tour buses, ATOL agent) want. if little or no, the actual money up front may only be a few thousand..between 15-20 people, very little. most are interested in an investment that can produce a return (and even better, one that they can participate in). who knows? try a poll.
in terms of investment, i've no idea, it depends on how many guarantees each organisation (airline, hotels, tour buses, ATOL agent) want. if little or no, the actual money up front may only be a few thousand..between 15-20 people, very little. most are interested in an investment that can produce a return (and even better, one that they can participate in). who knows? try a poll.
As mentioned before, I think somebody did try previously and it ended up with the only option being a private charter plane which would cost tens of thousands of investment up front.
Support for any flights from the UK to Balaton is definitely there but I think more assistance would be forthcoming if some research is done into the likelihood of an agent committing to charter flights
Aug 31st 2012, 2:05 pm
#259
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 22
Re: Flybalaton
Hi guys,
I totally understand the frustration and where 'tonydilihaz' is coming from but at this point, I am gonna have to agree with Rural as what tony is suggesting, to an extent, was explored previously with no success.
Also I don't see why involving Heviz authority is a "Kiss of Death!" After all the way things work in Hungary is as we all know differs from UK and to have the Heviz Mayor on board could be an important move.
In my opinion the main reason the local authority has not made a, what we could say, a significant effort to resolve the UK to Sarmellek situation is partially due to an attitude of "not my job, I am not getting paid enough" "perhaps a resentment to foreigners, after all we all came in and priced the locals out of market for buying houses" "or it could be the fact that they feel we have enough money coming in with the massive influx of Russians coming in?"
Over the years I have heard all of the above from a very large group of my Hungarian friends and neighbours.
That is not to say we should quit trying... But we also have to be realistic in what we can achieve without political support and financial backing.
I used to think all we have to do is show an flight operator what a lucrative route UK to Sarmellek is and hey-presto any business savy person would see the potential and go for it. But one of the major reasons why Ryanair has stopped flying to Balaton was because of the local government paying games. I still hope that something can be done to improve the situation for the region and the locals as we all know that no matter what we will make our way to Balaton, from Budapes or Vienna or Bratislava etc etc...
Any thoughts on this...
Best Regards,
Goo
I totally understand the frustration and where 'tonydilihaz' is coming from but at this point, I am gonna have to agree with Rural as what tony is suggesting, to an extent, was explored previously with no success.
Also I don't see why involving Heviz authority is a "Kiss of Death!" After all the way things work in Hungary is as we all know differs from UK and to have the Heviz Mayor on board could be an important move.
In my opinion the main reason the local authority has not made a, what we could say, a significant effort to resolve the UK to Sarmellek situation is partially due to an attitude of "not my job, I am not getting paid enough" "perhaps a resentment to foreigners, after all we all came in and priced the locals out of market for buying houses" "or it could be the fact that they feel we have enough money coming in with the massive influx of Russians coming in?"
Over the years I have heard all of the above from a very large group of my Hungarian friends and neighbours.
That is not to say we should quit trying... But we also have to be realistic in what we can achieve without political support and financial backing.
I used to think all we have to do is show an flight operator what a lucrative route UK to Sarmellek is and hey-presto any business savy person would see the potential and go for it. But one of the major reasons why Ryanair has stopped flying to Balaton was because of the local government paying games. I still hope that something can be done to improve the situation for the region and the locals as we all know that no matter what we will make our way to Balaton, from Budapes or Vienna or Bratislava etc etc...
Any thoughts on this...
Best Regards,
Goo
Feb 11th 2013, 2:58 pm
#260
I bite my thumb at thee
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,479
Re: Flybalaton
Still not ideal but thought this might help some of you.
From May 5th, Airbaltic will commence flights from Riga to Balaton, as most UK airports fly to Riga, it might be a feasible option. A cursory glance shows return flights, in May, to Riga for around £80 and Riga to Balaton, 110 euro (this is from London).
Granted, it's a bit more expensive than a cheap flight, booked in advance, to Budapest but just the thought of being able to land at "our" airport again, makes it appealing enough to put up with the hassle of a connecting flight.
From May 5th, Airbaltic will commence flights from Riga to Balaton, as most UK airports fly to Riga, it might be a feasible option. A cursory glance shows return flights, in May, to Riga for around £80 and Riga to Balaton, 110 euro (this is from London).
Granted, it's a bit more expensive than a cheap flight, booked in advance, to Budapest but just the thought of being able to land at "our" airport again, makes it appealing enough to put up with the hassle of a connecting flight.
Jul 11th 2013, 7:03 pm
#261
I bite my thumb at thee
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Re: Flybalaton
Wasn't sure whether to mention this as it's third party info though the source is well informed.
Apparently, talks have been entered into with a major airline - not Ryanair or Wizzair - to permanently base four planes at Heviz-Balaton airport. In October, the first "full year" figures will be presented to the airline and if acceptable, an announcement should be made later in the year.
The flights are expected to be to the UK and other European destinations.
Apparently, talks have been entered into with a major airline - not Ryanair or Wizzair - to permanently base four planes at Heviz-Balaton airport. In October, the first "full year" figures will be presented to the airline and if acceptable, an announcement should be made later in the year.
The flights are expected to be to the UK and other European destinations.
Jul 11th 2013, 7:59 pm
#262
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 291
Re: Flybalaton
Wasn't sure whether to mention this as it's third party info though the source is well informed.
Apparently, talks have been entered into with a major airline - not Ryanair or Wizzair - to permanently base four planes at Heviz-Balaton airport. In October, the first "full year" figures will be presented to the airline and if acceptable, an announcement should be made later in the year.
The flights are expected to be to the UK and other European destinations.
Apparently, talks have been entered into with a major airline - not Ryanair or Wizzair - to permanently base four planes at Heviz-Balaton airport. In October, the first "full year" figures will be presented to the airline and if acceptable, an announcement should be made later in the year.
The flights are expected to be to the UK and other European destinations.
Jul 11th 2013, 8:07 pm
#263
I bite my thumb at thee
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,479
Re: Flybalaton
I hope so, I heard from someone who has links with the Heviz municipality and so have no reason to disbelieve him, just hope the figures are as expected though I don't see why not as the Russian flights came in over the winter and the Airbaltic ones seem to be busy.
Jul 11th 2013, 8:09 pm
#264
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Joined: Aug 2012
Location: Sarvar
Posts: 99
Re: Flybalaton
Fingers Crossed
Make life more easier
Michael/Julie
Make life more easier
Michael/Julie
Jul 11th 2013, 10:54 pm
#265
Veszprém Megye
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Sevenoaks Kent UK and soon near Tapolca Hungary
Posts: 371
Re: Flybalaton
Wasn't sure whether to mention this as it's third party info though the source is well informed.
Apparently, talks have been entered into with a major airline - not Ryanair or Wizzair - to permanently base four planes at Heviz-Balaton airport. In October, the first "full year" figures will be presented to the airline and if acceptable, an announcement should be made later in the year.
The flights are expected to be to the UK and other European destinations.
Apparently, talks have been entered into with a major airline - not Ryanair or Wizzair - to permanently base four planes at Heviz-Balaton airport. In October, the first "full year" figures will be presented to the airline and if acceptable, an announcement should be made later in the year.
The flights are expected to be to the UK and other European destinations.
That would be great - not only for our convenience - but also to open up the area to more income from tourists. Everything crossed!
Jul 12th 2013, 7:37 am
#266
I bite my thumb at thee
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,479
Re: Flybalaton
Tenderhooks till October now
Jul 12th 2013, 11:39 am
#267
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Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Northamptonshire England
Posts: 72
Re: Flybalaton
Oh my word !!! At last someone who may understand that flights to the UK and back are essential to tourism in the area. Can we not lobby him to look into this? If you give me details I will certainly get in touch.:fingerscros sed:
:fingerscros sed:Exactly John. Since Heviz took over the running of the airport, it is definetley seeing increased traffic and the mayor is extremley pro active in establishing new routes - the local news regularly reports his jaunts abroad to promote the area
Tenderhooks till October now
Tenderhooks till October now
Jul 12th 2013, 12:09 pm
#268
I bite my thumb at thee
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,479
Re: Flybalaton
I don't think the Brits are seen as essential to tourism as one of the points made by Ryanair was that Brits tended to have holiday homes here and self catered thus, not contributing to the local economy as much as say the Russians. Evidence of this is all over Heviz in that signs now tend to be in Russian, German and Hungarian - few in English despite there having been flights from the UK for several years. However, with proper promotion of the West of Hungary as a holiday destination, this could change.
Don't think there is an point in lobby anybody as talks have apparently been ongoing for a while and it's now down to passenger numbers and profitability reports.
As before, this is third party info but I thought worth mentioning
Don't think there is an point in lobby anybody as talks have apparently been ongoing for a while and it's now down to passenger numbers and profitability reports.
As before, this is third party info but I thought worth mentioning
Jul 12th 2013, 2:56 pm
#269
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Re: Flybalaton
If you were going to somewhere like Balatonkenese, on the east end of the lake you are nearer to Budapest airport than Flybalaton. Is that area already more popular for UK and other flying tourists? I think if I had ever gone to Balaton for a holiday from UK I would not have wanted to go again.
Jul 12th 2013, 3:30 pm
#270
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Posts: 878
Re: Flybalaton
If you were going to somewhere like Balatonkenese, on the east end of the lake you are nearer to Budapest airport than Flybalaton. Is that area already more popular for UK and other flying tourists? I think if I had ever gone to Balaton for a holiday from UK I would not have wanted to go again.