Kastélyturizmus az Észak-magyarországi régióban

The nearly two past decades have seen considerable changes in the tourism markets of the developed world. Since the 1980s consumer customs have been changing, alternative types of tourism have been gaining ground: these types are characterised by the existence of individual specialist demand, and by a character arising from the smaller number of tourists and more in line with the potentialities of a region (Puczkó L.-Rátz T. [2005]). Cultural and heritage tourism, which can be classified as alternative types of tourism, deserve special attention. With the passing of the period of socialism not showing much respect for traditions and cultural heritage, the cultivation of traditions is undergoing a revival (due to civil initiatives to no small extent), and increased attention is devoted to the preservation and rehabilitation of the objectified forms of cultural heritage. The mansions and manor houses built by noble families represent a spectacular form of cultural heritage, including man-built heritage. The majority still do not occupy the place they deserve either in their physical condition or in the functions they serve. The buildings that serve functions comparable with their original ones (management buildings, museums, places of accommodation) are in a relatively favourable position. The paper examines the utilisation for tourism purposes of the mansions in the region of Northern Hungary, with special emphasis on those functioning as places of accommodation. The objective of the paper is to explore the situation, but also to find solutions for mansions that are vacant at present or do not serve the right functions or are not operated with efficiency.