Almost 140,000 Romanians have spent their Christmas or New Year’s holidays in guest houses or touristic villas in the countryside, which is a 5% increase on the previous year. They spent a total of EUR 22 million, according to data presented by the National Association for Rural, Ecological and Cultural Tourism ANTREC.

On New Year’s Eve, the guesthouses and countryside villas in Romania were 80% occupied, while on Christmas the occupancy rate was between 60% and 65%, according to ANTREC.

The average stay was 4 days for the Christmas holiday and 5 days for the New Year’s holiday. Tourists spent an average RON 600 (EUR 135), per person, for the Christmas holiday and RON 800 (EUR 180) for the New Year’s holiday.

The main regions for rural tourism are Bran-Moieciu-Fundata in Brasov county, Albac and Arieseni in Alba county, Rucar-Dambovicioara in Arges county, Marginimea Sibiului in Sibiu county, Botiza and Sighetu Marmatiei in Maramures. Other popular areas are Vara Dornei in Siceava county, Baile Balvanyos in Covasna, Durau in Neamt, Lepsa in Vrancea, Sarata Monteoru in Buzau and the resorts on the Prahova Valley.

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo: casaserena.ro)