Today the new visitor center was officially opened in a ceremony at Kis-Balaton Keszthely-Fenékpuszta. The visitor center was constructed in the framework of Széchenyi 2020 program by the companies Szabau Invest Kft and PossiBuild Kft, both members of the Szabadics company group, using 1.2 billion HUF subsidy from the European Union. As the investment of the Balaton-Felvidéki Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság (Directorate of Balaton-Felvidéki National Park), the Fekete István Emlékhely memorial at the Diás-sziget was also renewed. The foundation stone of the tourist center was laid at the end of 2018.
A 1300 square metres visitor center was built within the framework of the project, which introduces the more significant strictly protected assets of the Kis-Balaton.
The multifunctional building, meeting the needs of today, fits into the landscape, and can be the starting point of day trips, whether on land or water, introducing the flora and fauna of Kis-Balaton.
There is an exhibition, a movie theater and various interactive programs in the center, among other things; these are all related to the flora and fauna of the region.
Further services are available for the convenience of the visitors: nature trails, playground, restaurant, and shop.
On the property, earlier only the research building named after the recognized ornithologist, Vönöczky Schenk Jakab had been erected, occupied by researchers and the employees of the directorate of the national park. The visitor center was constructed on the other half of the property as an answer to great visitor interest, providing an information and orientation point and fitting infrastructure for those seeking the sights and places of interest of the region.
A spacious area is located in the middle of the building, from where all other rooms and areas can be accessed: the exhibition hall, the movie theater and the coffee shop.
The multifunctional building, meeting the needs of today, fits into the landscape, and can be the starting point of day trips, whether on land or water, introducing the flora and fauna of the Kis-Balaton.
There is an exhibition, a movie theater and various interactive programs in the center, among other things; these are all related to the flora and fauna of the region.
Further services are available for the convenience of the visitors: nature trails, playground, restaurant, and shop.
On the property, earlier only the research building named after the recognized ornithologist, Vönöczky Schenk Jakab had been erected, occupied by researchers and the employees of the directorate of the national park. The visitor center was constructed on the other half of the property as an answer to great visitor interest, providing an information and orientation point and fitting infrastructure for those seeking the sights and places of interest of the region.
A spacious area is located in the middle of the building, from where all other rooms and areas can be accessed: the exhibition hall, the movie theater and the coffee shop.
Zsolt Semjén Deputy Prime Minister stated at the opening ceremony that the visitor center attracts tourists, who would spend money in the restaurants and accommodations, so ecotourism plays an ecological role. “When tourists are invited from abroad, we can attract them not only with the sights of the capital city or thermal baths, but also with our natural heritage”, he added.
