Romanian tourists travelling abroad in the first half of this year spent 40% more than the value registered in the same period of 2005. Thus, Romanians travelling abroad in the first half of this year spent almost 480m euros, while foreign tourists who visited Romania spent 488 million euros, compared with 414m euros in the similar period of 2005. Moreover, in July alone, Romanians' trips abroad hit a value of 98m euros, 46% more than in the corresponding period of last year. Tourism is witnessing considerable growth each month, with sums Romanians spend to travel abroad having surged from January through July by 51m euros.
According to some estimates, more than 500,000 Romanian tourists spent their holidays abroad during the May-July period of this year, from only 350,000 tourists in 2005. The incoming market registered the same growth trend, with sums allocated by tourists having doubled since the beginning of the year. Thus, while this January foreigners spent 50 million euros for their trips to Romania, in July they came to spend 97 million euros.
"Primarily, Romanians' living standards have improved and they've got higher expectations. Thus, they have increasingly become more interested in spending their holidays abroad. Moreover, travel agencies are offering packages based on a balanced price/ quality ratio (...)," says Traian Badulescu, head of the press relations department of the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT). He believes the positive results of this year were generated by the 30% higher number of Romanian tourists who travelled abroad. Registered growth is mainly related to the leisure travel segment, with most Romanians resorting, for their holidays abroad, to travel agencies offering various travel packages.
Badulescu said more and more Romanians are choosing the all-inclusive packages, offering 3 and 4-star accommodation conditions.
Aurel Pavel, general manager with J'Info Tours travel agency, says the outgoing market has already been shaped and the focus should be on the development of the incoming market. The main problem domestic tourism is facing is the insufficient number of hotels and the lack of a proper infrastructure for the rapid development of the leisure travel and business travel segments. Foreigners are increasingly interested in agritourism, with Bran-Moeciu as the most exploited region.
The market of travel packages for trips abroad has witnessed considerable growth, especially on the segment of charters. Under the circumstances, the business travel segment has also started to expand. Nonetheless, the business component weighs 20% in the overall travel activities, while the leisure travel segment accounts for 80%. Following integration, Romanian tourism will develop along both segments, but domestic players will have to reach European standards.
Tourism in figures
Romanians travelling abroad spent almost 480m euros in the first half of this year
Foreign tourists visiting Romania spent 488m euros in the first half, from 414m euros in the same period of last year
More than 500,000 Romanians spent their holidays abroad during the May-July period of this year, compared with 350,000 in the same period of 2005
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