The Developement of Tourism in Pécs The „shelter” of Dömörkapu of the Mecsek Association (1930–1941)

Abstract

The Shelter of Dömörkapu was built in the largest city of Dél-Dunántúl by one of the important civic organizations of Pécs, the Mecsek Association, in 1931. From the late 1920s, Pécs was one of the first cities in Hungary to undertake deliberate tourism development. Besides enhancing the tourism infra-structure of the city, Pécs also defined its range of tourist attractions. Marketing campaigns launched to promote and highlight Pécs and the Mecsek, leading to a consistent rise in visitor numbers. The goals of the Mecsek Association also fitted perfectly with the tourism development of the city. The organiza-tion, founded in 1891, played a key role in establishing the infrastructure for active tourism in the Mecsek region, organizing hikes, and promoting its attractions, thereby making the natural beauty of the Mecsek accessible to the people of Pécs and beyond. The pinnacle of these initiatives was the establish-ment of the Shelter of Dömörkapu, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Association. Following an impressive inauguration, the tourist facility embarked on a path of long-term development. Continual modernization efforts enabled the hotel to effectively adapt to evolving tourist demands. Its enduring regional significance is underscored by its resilience through decades of the socialist planned economy, privatization, and thorough transformation, now operating successfully as the Hotel Mediterrán, contin-uing to welcome guests to this day.