Over 25 Romanian small spa & wellness resorts are abandoned

Over 25 former Romanian small spa resorts are abandoned and their refurbishment would cost EUR 150 million. The Spa Tourism Employers Organization (OPTBR) hopes to get this money from EU funds and from the Tourism Ministry, reports local Profit.ro. The Romanian spa resort sector recorded a revival last year as tourism agencies doubled or even tripled their sales for this type of product. Operators in the field expect even higher increases if authorities introduce the so-called holiday vouchers for public employees. In this scenario, the demand for spa resorts could increase by 30%, in 2017, compared to the annual growth of 6-10% recorded in recent years. Romania’s resort sector needs high investments, as many famous spa and wellness resorts have been abandoned. Romania currently has half of the resorts it had in 1938. To revive small abandoned places like Malnas Bai and Sugas Bai, it’s necessary to have investments of over EUR 150 million, according to employers in this field. editor@romania-insider.com