Over 139,000 Romanian tourists spend some EUR 18 million over the Christmas break in local holiday destinations, according to an analysis of the Romanian Tourism Employers’ Federation (FPTR). The sum covers the accommodation, food and entertainment expenses.

According to FPTR data, the average expense for accommodation and food included in the tourist offers was of approximately RON 570 (EUR 122) per holiday, up 14% compared to last year. Additional expenses on transport and entertainment averaged RON 500 (EUR 107) per tourist per holiday.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are the last opportunities for Romanians who have received holiday vouchers to use them as these expire at the end of the year. As such, more people decided to spend their winter holidays in the country.

“Because this year Christmas was right after weekend and the Government granted days off to public sector employees, there was a higher demand, even more so as many Romanians took advantage of the holiday vouchers and decided to spend the five days off away from home,” Dragoş Răducan, first vice-president of FPTR, explained.

This year, the Government decided to give two extra days off to public sector employees, on December 24 and December 31. Each of the two days contributes to the two five-day “mini-holidays”, as they are placed between weekends and the national holidays of Christmas (December 25, 26) and New Year’s Eve (January 1, 2).

Most tourists opted for a traditional Christmas, spent at rural guest houses, which saw an occupancy rate of over 90% and some 55,000 tourists. The most attractive destinations in rural areas were Bran, Maramureş, Bucovina and the area of Sibiu, where tourists could enjoy traditional food and customs. Prices in rural areas ranged between RON 350 (EUR 75) and RON 800 (EUR 171) per person, depending on the destination and the preferences of each tourist.

Mineral spa resorts took the second spot in tourists’ preferences, after rural destinations. Approximately 25,000 tourists opted for them because of the range of available services. Here, prices ranged between RON 500 (EUR 107) and RON 750 (EUR 160) per person for three days spent at a three-star hotel.

A total of 24,000 tourists opted for mountain reports. Here, prices ranged between RON 500 and RON 900 (EUR 193) per person, depending on the services offered and the days spent.

Some Romanians decided to spend Christmas abroad, in various exotic destinations or European city-breaks. For them, the most attractive destinations in Europe were the ski resorts in Austria, Bulgaria, Switzerland or France, which attracted tourists with the winter sports options but also with Christmas Markets and themed events.

As far as the exotic destinations were concerned, most Romanians chose Dubai, Egypt and Morocco. For these destinations, prices ranged between EUR 500 and EUR 3,000 per person, depending on the preferences of each tourists.

According to FPTR, the data were compiled based on estimates of the federation’s members and on a survey among a significant number of tourism operators.

Traffic on small Romanian airports during Christmas holidays is more intense this year

Number of tourists in Romanian hotels, up by 5.4% in the first five months

(Photo: Bucovina by Yvette Larsson, Romania Insider archive)

editor@romania-insider.com