2026 tourism boom: how to prepare your venue for card payments

The summer of 2026 could give Hungary's hospitality and accommodation sector an unexpected boost. According to a card-data-based forecast by Global Payments, tensions in the Middle East and restrictions on air travel are pushing many tourists to stay within Europe — and Hungary stands to benefit. The estimate suggests that up to 225,000 more tourists could arrive than a year earlier, spending roughly EUR 78.75 million on accommodation and dining.

For merchants this raises a very concrete question: is your payment setup ready to serve a sudden influx of foreign guests? In this article we break down what the Global Payments forecast signals, why demand for cashless payments is rising, and what hospitality and accommodation businesses should do.

What is driving the tourist wave?

Tensions in the Persian Gulf region are visibly reshaping global travel patterns. According to data cited by Global Payments, more than 52,000 flights have been cancelled due to restrictions affecting the region, making travel there significantly harder. Amid the uncertainty and rising transport costs, an estimated 8–12 million travellers may choose European destinations instead of Asia, North Africa or the Middle East.

Part of this traffic spills over into Central Europe. The Global Payments Research Group forecasts 1.1–2.5 million more tourists in the Central European region in 2026 than a year earlier — potentially EUR 0.6–1.9 billion in additional hospitality revenue.

"Because of geopolitical uncertainty and rising travel costs, many people are looking for closer, safer destinations. While Mediterranean countries remain top choices, Central Europe — including Hungary — is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative," said Gabriella Csóti, country manager of Global Payments in Hungary.

Hungary can be a winner of the trend

Regional tourism was already strong: the six Central European countries studied welcomed over 125 million visitors in 2025. Global Payments estimates Hungary's tourist numbers could grow by 225,000, bringing around EUR 78.75 million in extra revenue to accommodation and hospitality providers.

The logic is simple: an average visitor spends EUR 300–600 on accommodation and meals during a 2–4 day stay. So even a relatively modest increase in traffic can have a tangible economic impact — provided the guest can pay without friction. Tourists are expected to keep favouring Budapest and the best-known hubs, but rural destinations, especially spa towns and nature-focused regions, may also draw growing attention.

Why is demand for cashless payments rising?

As tourist traffic grows, payment habits shift too. Most foreign guests don't want to exchange cash: they pay almost exclusively by card (Visa, Mastercard) or mobile wallet — Apple Pay and Google Pay. This isn't a Hungarian quirk but a global expectation guests bring with them.

The trend is clear at home too: card payment volumes keep rising (we covered this in our analysis of the +19% growth in card purchases). Global Payments expects the POS terminal market in Central European hospitality to grow 6–8% per year, reflecting the spread of digital payments. A business that doesn't accept cards and mobile payments smoothly is effectively turning guests away.

What should hospitality and accommodation businesses do?

The good news is that preparing for higher foreign traffic doesn't require a big investment. A few practical steps worth considering:

• Offer modern, contactless card acceptance. Most tourists pay with a single NFC tap — by phone or card. If you don't have a terminal yet, or your traffic is seasonal, SoftPOS (turning your phone into a payment terminal) can be a low-barrier option. Details in our SoftPOS guide and Apple Tap to Pay article.
• Accept mobile wallets. Apple Pay and Google Pay are the default payment method for many foreign guests, and accepting them is now a standard feature on most terminals and SoftPOS apps.
• Think about foreign cards. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) lets guests see the amount in their own currency — a convenience point, but worth offering transparently with a fair exchange rate.
• In hospitality, tipping matters. A terminal that lets guests tip by card can directly boost your staff's income, especially with card-paying foreigners.
• Integrate payments with your booking/POS system. Global Payments experts also recommend connecting modern contactless systems with booking systems to serve international guests seamlessly.

And the question every merchant cares about: how much does this cost? Terminal and card-acceptance pricing varies widely by provider — from monthly fees to transaction fees to contract lock-in. We give a detailed, up-to-date comparison in our POS terminal prices 2026 article, and if you're new to the basics, start with our "what is a POS terminal" guide.

How does POSnavigator help?

If you're looking for a payment solution ahead of the tourist season or considering switching providers, you don't have to go through every bank and fintech offer one by one. On POSnavigator you can compare SoftPOS and POS terminal offers available on the Hungarian market in minutes, and our calculator shows which is most cost-effective for your specific hospitality or accommodation business based on your expected volume.

Compare payment solutions on POSnavigator »

Frequently asked questions

Where does the 225,000-tourist estimate come from?

From the Global Payments Research Group's card-data-based forecast, published in April 2026. The estimate is based on shifting global travel patterns and prior traffic data for the Central European region.

Do I really need to accept cards even as a small venue?

A legal obligation doesn't always apply on its own, but the vast majority of foreign guests pay by card or mobile and don't exchange cash. A business that doesn't accept cards effectively loses out on this traffic.

SoftPOS or a traditional terminal for seasonal traffic?

If your traffic fluctuates or is seasonal, SoftPOS (phone-based card acceptance) can be launched at a lower entry cost. For high, steady volume a dedicated terminal may be more convenient. It's worth running the numbers on your expected transaction count.

What does DCC mean for the guest and the merchant?

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) lets a foreign guest see and approve the amount in their own currency. It's a convenience feature, but it must be transparent to the guest — offer it with a fair rate and clear communication.

Source: press release by Global Payments s.r.o. (April 2026), based on the Global Payments Research Group's card-data forecast. The data reflect the April 2026 forecast.