This is a short English-language summary of Episode 43 of the Dunakavicsok Tourism Podcast. The 43rd episode of the Dunakavicsok Tourism Podcast explores the future of tourism and the evolving landscape ofso-called “new tourism” as the industry approaches 2026. Recorded online between Budapest and Vienna on December 1, 2025, the episode is hosted by Balázs Kovács and István Nagy-Szász, who provide a professional lighthearted overview of the most important trends shaping the tourism sector.

A central part of the discussion is a review of major conferences held in autumn 2025, including the EuroVelo Conference at Lake Balaton and the Budapest Tourism Summit. These events highlighted keyissues such as the rapid technological transformation of tourism, the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, and the growing importance of sustainability in destination development.

One of the episode’s unique highlights is a reflection on the “overview effect”, inspired by insights from astronaut Tibor Kapu. This perspective is used to illustrate the interconnected nature of tourism systems and to reframe everyday challenges from a broader, more holistic viewpoint.

Sustainability is a recurring theme throughout the episode. The hosts discuss the domestic introduction of GSTC standards, the newly released MARESZ sustainability handbook, and the need for a coherentnational sustainability trademark strategy within the tourism sector.

The conversation also addresses economic realities and changing visitor expectations, drawing on experiences from the Visitor Economy Forum in Vienna. Emphasis is placed on a shift towardquality-focused tourism and more clearly defined target guest groups. In this context, the People Powered Tourism project in the Danube region is highlighted as a strong example of community-driven tourism and best practice.

In addition, the episode looks at the future of sustainable mobility, with a focus on rail transport developments such as the Koralmbahn project and new rolling stock in Austria, including Westbahn’s“Panda” trains and modern double-decker Railjets.

The episode concludes with the traditional “kis színes” (colorful news) segment, featuring lighter stories such as the “Edible Forest” experience, the “Travel Consciously” handbook, and a humorousreference to a conference in Pécs organized specifically for participants namedBalázs Kovács. The hosts close the episode by teasing a major announcement tobe revealed in the new year.