Romania tourism faces decline as domestic stays drop 10%

The Romanian tourism sector is facing challenges, with domestic overnight stays decreasing by 10% over the last six months. According to Adrian Voican, Vice President of the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT), hotel and pension occupancy rates have dropped to approximately 30%. This decline is partly attributed to a 60% decrease in the settlement of holiday vouchers during the first half of the year compared to the previous year.

In response to these trends, ANAT is proposing an extension of the holiday voucher program for five years, covering the period from 2027 to 2031. The association also suggests increasing the voucher value to keep pace with inflation and reducing the tax burden on these vouchers to remain competitive with neighboring regions.

Regarding the upcoming calendar, Romanians have five legal holidays remaining in 2026, including a potential four-day break at the end of November spanning Saint Andrew's Day and National Day. The 2027 calendar features 17 legal holidays, with nine falling on weekdays, offering several opportunities for extended breaks during Easter, Pentecost, and the beginning of the year.