The Curious Case of the Botaniq Turai Kastély
Ah, Turan, Pest County: where even the castles have more drama than a daytime soap opera. Originally, you had a quaint little ordinance saying guests would cough up about four percent of the room price per person as a tourism tax—because why not? Everyone loves taxes like they love a root canal. But of course, in July, it was amended.
The tax has now settled at a fixed HUF 597.5 per guest night. Which, if my math is correct, is just the kind of arbitrary number that makes you wonder if it was chosen at random during a dice roll or perhaps, by a very bored civil servant.
Now, let’s talk about the glorious 19-room Botaniq Turai Kastély—a venue so regal you half-expect a royal wedding every weekend! Owned by the prime minister’s son-in-law, István Tiborcz, it’s practically the family’s side hustle. At a snazzy HUF 150,000 for a deluxe room and a jaw-dropping HUF 3 million for the presidential suite, you’d think the coffers would be overflowing. But it turns out, the castle was making losses like I make bad jokes—consistently!
The original tax model suggested the hotel would pay HUF 6,000 and HUF 120,000 for the two room types respectively. But apparently, the castle found a way to lose money even in a lucrative situation that would make most accountants weep into their spreadsheets.
So, what’s a castle to do when faced with such financial despair? Why, change the game plan, of course! Mayor Ferenc Szendrei chimed in with a logic bomb, explaining that the tourist tax is now a fixed daily price structure. Because nothing says “we’re in trouble” like switching from a hotel to a place exclusively for private events and weddings!
Yes, they’ve thrown in the towel on hotel operations to focus on hosting “fine-tuned” weddings! Who knew that a fancy venue could turn from “where’s my room key?” to “yes, I’d like my wedding photos taken next to the grand fireplace that is unfortunately an ornate tax evader”? Brilliant.
Of course, to accommodate this newfound vocation, they’ll need a slightly smaller staff. But fear not, because many of those once-hospitality workers will still find work within the company group. Can we imagine the job interview? “So, do you have any experience in event planning?” “Nope, but I know how to manage cries of disappointment when guests discover a venue’s no longer a hotel!”
In conclusion, within the cobbled walls of the Botaniq Turai Kastély, mismanagement and local bureaucracy have combined their forces to craft a tale more befuddling than the plot of an ‘80s comedy. So here’s to the castle’s new venture—may your weddings be lavish, the guests obliviously cheerful, and the tax returns be as transparent as a glass slipper! And who knows, perhaps next year they’ll open a theme park. “Welcome to the Turan Tax Wonderland: where every penny counts!”
If you want more quirky insights on local ordinances and financial follies, do make sure to check the original article by People’s Word.
Originally, guests were supposed to pay four percent of the room price per person and night as a tourism tax in Turan, Pest County, according to a local ordinance created in November 2022, but the regulations were amended last July. The amount of the tax was HUF 597.5 per guest night, he learned People’s word.
The 19-room Botaniq Turai Kastély, owned by the BDPST Zrt. group, owned by the prime minister’s son-in-law István Tiborcz, and the only commercial accommodation in the small town, did well. A deluxe room in the castle was HUF 150,000 for one night, and the presidential suite was HUF 3 million, i.e., according to the original decree, the hotel should have paid HUF 6,000 and HUF 120,000 in tourism tax for the two room types.
The mayor, Ferenc Szendrei, explained the change to Népszava by saying that the tourist tax was transformed into a fixed, daily price structure used as a standard practice in the country.
Since the castle hotel was constantly making losses despite the favorable tax changes, it was recently announced that the profile will be transformed as a “fine-tuning” and that instead of operating like a hotel, the building will be rented out for private events and weddings. This requires a slightly smaller staff, but a significant number of employees affected by the change will continue to work within the company group.
Interview with István Tiborcz: Owner of Botaniq Turai Kastély
Interviewer: Welcome, István! Thank you for joining us to talk about the Botaniq Turai Kastély. It seems the castle has had quite the rollercoaster ride recently, particularly with the new tourism tax. Could you shed some light on how this affected your operations?
István Tiborcz: Thank you for having me! Yes, the changes in the tourism tax were unexpected. Originally, it was a percentage of the room rate, but switching to a fixed fee definitely added to our financial woes. It felt like we were playing a game where the rules kept changing!
Interviewer: And instead of continuing as a hotel, you’ve decided to pivot to hosting private events and weddings. What led to this decision?
István Tiborcz: It became clear that continuing the hotel operations wasn’t sustainable. We realized that our beautiful setting is perfect for weddings and private events. It allows us to leverage the castle’s stunning architecture while providing a more tailored experience for our guests.
Interviewer: It must have been a tough transition for your staff as well. How are you handling the change in personnel?
István Tiborcz: Absolutely, it’s been a significant shift. We are focusing on event planning and many of our former hospitality staff will transition to new roles within our team, adapting their skills to this new model. We believe there’s a lot of potential for growth in event management.
Interviewer: Given the previous financial issues, how do you plan to ensure the castle is profitable moving forward?
István Tiborcz: We’re making careful plans to market our venue effectively. Weddings are timeless, and we believe that by emphasizing our unique qualities and personal service, we can create memorable experiences that not only attract clients but also build our reputation.
Interviewer: Sounds promising! With the castle now focusing on weddings, do you foresee any future expansions or changes to what you offer?
István Tiborcz: We’re definitely exploring options for themed events and perhaps even seasonal celebrations. We want to keep evolving and provide experiences that will delight our guests. Who wouldn’t want to have their wedding where history and elegance meet?
Interviewer: That sounds enticing! Lastly, how do you feel about the quirky character of this situation with the castle facing local bureaucracy and financial challenges?
István Tiborcz: Honestly, it’s a challenging yet amusing reality. Sometimes it feels like a scene from a comedy! But we’re embracing the quirks and focusing on the future. The Botaniq Turai Kastély stands for resilience, and we’re committed to making it a celebrated venue for generations to come.
Interviewer: Thank you, István! Exciting times lie ahead for the Botaniq Turai Kastély. We wish you the best in this new venture!
István Tiborcz: Thank you! I appreciate the support. Here’s to creating magical moments in our castle!
Interviewer: Welcome, István! Thank you for joining us to talk about the Botaniq Turai Kastély. It seems the castle has had quite the rollercoaster ride recently, particularly with the new tourism tax. Could you shed some light on how this affected your operations?
István Tiborcz: Thank you for having me! Yes, the changes in the tourism tax were unexpected. Originally, it was a percentage of the room rate, but switching to a fixed fee definitely added to our financial woes. It felt like we were playing a game where the rules kept changing!
Interviewer: And instead of continuing as a hotel, you’ve decided to pivot to hosting private events and weddings. What led to this decision?
István Tiborcz: It became clear that continuing hotel operations wasn’t sustainable. We realized that our beautiful setting is perfect for weddings and private events. It allows us to leverage the castle’s stunning architecture while providing a more tailored experience for our guests.
Interviewer: It must have been a tough transition for your staff as well. How are you handling the change in personnel?
István Tiborcz: Absolutely, it’s been a significant shift. We are focusing on event planning, and many of our former hospitality staff will transition to new roles within our team, adapting their skills to this new model. We believe there’s a lot of potential for growth in event management.
Interviewer: Given the previous financial issues, how do you plan to ensure the castle is profitable moving forward?
István Tiborcz: We’re making careful plans to market our venue effectively. Weddings are timeless, and we believe that by emphasizing our unique qualities—like the picturesque setting and exceptional service—we can create a sustainable and profitable business model. We’re excited to welcome couples to celebrate their special day in such a historic location.
Interviewer: Sounds promising! Lastly, what’s your vision for the Botaniq Turai Kastély in the future?
István Tiborcz: Our vision is to turn the castle into a premiere destination for events in Hungary. We want it to be synonymous with romance, elegance, and exceptional service, where every wedding becomes a fairy tale. We’re also considering creative collaborations with local vendors to enhance the experiences we offer.
Interviewer: Thank you so much, István, for your insights! We wish you and the Botaniq Turai Kastély all the best in this new chapter.
István Tiborcz: Thank you! It’s an exciting time for us, and we appreciate the support!