The festival series began on 8 June with a classical music concert held in the building of the Slovak Radio. During the first days of the week, the focus was primarily on indoor events, with professional forums, exhibitions and presentations taking place at various venues across the capital. The festival’s spectacular open-air programme started on Thursday at Bratislava’s Main Square, where artistic, gastronomic and community events followed over the course of three days.
Throughout the three-day outdoor event, numerous visitors stopped by the Hévíz stand. Right next to us, the town of Zalakaros was also represented, creating an excellent opportunity for two members of the Hévíz–Zalakaros–Kehidakustány Thermal Triangle initiative, launched last year, to jointly promote their shared development concept. The long-term objective is to create an integrated tourism offer in which the three destinations mutually complement and strengthen one another on the international market.
Although all three spa towns are built around the same natural treasure – thermal water – each offers a distinct character and visitor experience. Hévíz is internationally renowned as a centre for health preservation, healing and regeneration. Zalakaros is a stronghold of family-friendly experiences and active recreation, while Kehidakustány is known for its welcoming atmosphere and wellness experiences tailored to families. Together, however, they have the potential to become a competitive and attractive tourism product within the European destination market for years to come.
With the growing dominance of digital platforms, opportunities based on personal encounters and authentic experiences have gained a new significance. At the same time, the Thermal Triangle concept extends far beyond a marketing strategy. Its broader purpose is to foster a regional mindset that encourages visitors to discover multiple destinations, experiences and services within a single journey. In this regard, the Slovak market is of particular importance, as the West Balaton region is both easily accessible and highly attractive to travellers from Slovakia due to its geographical proximity.
The success of the More Than a Neighbour festival lies precisely in its ability to go beyond the framework of a traditional event. It is not merely a showcase of culture, nor simply a presentation of tourism offerings. Rather, it creates a genuine bridge that spans borders, languages and nations, drawing attention to what truly matters: preserving and respecting the values we share.
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