Besides the Obvious

For Hungarian version click here. A magyar verziót itt éred el.

• BTO – Could you please give us a short introduction to “Magyar Vándor Barcelona”?

• MV – The visitors to Barcelona have the opportunity to discover the mysteries of the city and the narrow alleys not known to everyone with the Hungarian-language tours led by “Hungarian Wanderer Barcelona“. The experience is enriched by the passionate stories and legends of the only Hungarian tour guide in the city (who has been living in the Catalan capital for 18 years now). In addition, the tour participants can get first-hand tips on the popular restaurants, cafés, and bars of the people living there, so that they can also be part of the colorful Catalan culture during their stay.

“Are you ready to change your world? Because the “Magyar Vándor Barcelona” is more than a site offering a simple walking tour. We are here to show you a new and exciting way to discover new destinations. Whether you’re looking for a private tour or just joining other travelers. We want you to have fun while also learning something new about the world. Take a look around to find out more about the tours and feel free to contact us if you have any questions! Let’s explore Barcelona together! Let’s plan your perfect trip, vacation together!”

• BTO – Barcelona before the pandemic was a super popular tourist destination. What kind of services did you have until the pandemic started?

• MV – There are several walking tours and a half day visit to Montserrat. I was planning a visit to Dalí Museum (Figueras) and a food tour, but I have to delay it…

• BTO – How was the proportion of the locals & tourists then in Barcelona and on your sightseeing tours?

• MV – The city is very famous for having almost more tourists than locals. There are a lot of complaints about it, sometimes even demonstrations. But almost everyone lives from it… Only Hungarian tourists came to my tours. I offered the local Hungarians free participation so they could get to know the city they live. Some of them came, but few. The number of tourists on my tours, on the other hand, I can honestly admit are more and more (you can see it in the pictures), which I am very happy about. I had to limit my daily bookings, because it is very important for me to give a personalized experience, and if there are more people, it is already more difficult for me to connect with everyone. I prefer instead 2 tours that day (morning and afternoon).

• BTO – How has the Coronavirus pandemic influenced the tourism in Barcelona?

• MV – You could say completely canceled… for a while. It is true that the borders were opened for the summer and I could see and hear strangers (even Hungarians), but restrictions were introduced again in autumn (the virus has also returned from its holidays) and since then we can’t talk about tourism … I’m sure there are a few, but negligible compared to pre-Covid-19 data.

• BTO – How has the Coronavirus pandemic influenced your business?

• MV – It stopped it completely. All my future bookings have been canceled (free of charge, of course). In the beginning, it was not boring, as many people applied for more and more information every day. What I, unfortunately, could not give, apart from what everyone was able to get from the media… After a while, questions and interests stopped. I also canceled my website as it costs a lot of money. Facebook is still on, but there are no activities. In the beginning, I uploaded pictures, information, but I thought how sad it can be if everyone sees it, wants it but can’t reach it… I’d rather stop. Sometimes, very rarely I go on tours with 1-2 friends, I get a little nostalgic, but I felt depressed to think back… All that remains is hope!

• BTO – What kind of new initiatives or actions are you taking place or into consideration to “survive”?

• MV – None. There is no point to innovate if there is no one around.

• BTO – What about the future? When do you think the tourist will return to Barcelona and the tourism sector can reactivate the earliest?

• MV – In my opinion, when most of us will be vaccinated (and PCR testing will not be mandatory). Because vaccination is useless if you have to pay more than €100 per family just for the tests. When this is no longer the case, it will be easier for people to start planning and making their travels. I really hope to be able to lead tours this summer and I really hope to do it without a mask.

• BTO – As living in Barcelona for a long time, can you tell us what is your favourite (but less known) place that you would recommend visiting in Barcelona to the tourists coming to the city?

• MV – Of course, there are plenty of these and I also try to show such little hidden, little-known places on my tours. The Carmel Bunkers (Bunkers del Carmel) is very famous among the young, the view is beautiful and you don’t have to spend half a day to get to Tibidabo, which is very far away. I like the other “hill” not far away, because there is a swing on one of the trees. You can take very nice pictures…

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