Almost half a million, 485 thousand spectators viewed the events of the World Aquatic Championships at five venues in Budapest and Balatonfüred, Minister for National Development Miklós Seszták, President of the Organising Committee of the World Championships which finished on Sunday said at a press conference held on Monday in the Duna Arena.
The Minister for National Development highlighted: more than 400 thousand visitors attended the supporter zones set up on Margitsziget (Margaret Island) and next to the Duna Arena. The venue on the island reached its full capacity in terms of spectators five times in two weeks, and during the men’s water polo final between Hungary and Croatia held on Saturday.
According to Mr. Seszták, a great many of foreigners attended the events, hundreds of thousands of tickets were sold primarily to Brits, Germans, French and Americans.
He also said that the hotels in Budapest were fully booked, the occupancy rate of the rooms was 90 percent during the two weeks of the World Championship, and two thirds of the guests specifically came to see the World Championships during this period.
Speaking in the name of the Organising Committee, its member Minister of Human Capacities Zoltán Balogh was especially proud of the opening ceremony, where "culture and sports met"
He added Budapest will host the World Junior Synchronised Swimming Championships next year and the World Junior Swimming Championships in 2019. The European championships of swimming, water polo, synchronised swimming and diving will be held in the Duna Arena in 2020 which will be followed by the World Short Course Swimming Championships in 2024.
Mayor of Budapest István Tarlós said: "as a born Budapest resident, it makes me especially delighted that the delegations of more than 180 countries felt at home in our capital city”
