The number of foreign visitors in Romania registered at border checkpoints was of 5.23 million in the first eight months of this year, up 0.7 percent over the same period of 2010, according to the National Statistics Institute (INS). Over 94 percent of the foreign visitors came from countries in Europe, while 57 percent came from countries in the European Union.

Most arrivals were recorded from Hungary with 34.9 percent of the total arrivals, followed by Bulgaria with 17.6 percent, Germany with 8.7 percent, and Italy with 8 percent.

In terms of departures of Romanian visitors abroad, registered at border checkpoints, they were 7.57 million in the first eight months, up by 0.5 percent compared to same period in 2010.

In August 2011 the number of foreign visitors in Romania decreased by 1 percent compared to the same period last year, down to 968,200. Most of the foreign visitors, namely 94.9 percent, came from Europe, while 53.8 percent of the total came from countries in the European Union, according to INS.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Photoxpress.com)