Winter tourism is growing in most EU member states, but the largest advance is recorded in Romania, where the number of nights spent in hotels and other accommodation facilities in the 2018-2019 winter season was 8.6% higher than in the 2017-2018 winter season, according to data recently published by Eurostat.
The growth recorded in Romania is nearly four times higher than the EU average, where 18.9 million overnight stays were recorded in the 2018-2019 winter season, 2.6% more than in the 2017-2018 winter season.
In only two EU member states did the number of overnight stays decrease in the 2018-2019 winter season compared to the 2017-2018 winter season, namely Greece with a decrease of 8.3% and Malta with a decrease of 3.5%.
The most popular EU destinations for tourists traveling outside their country of residence in the 2018-2019 winter season were: Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, and France.
In these six states, winter tourism accounted for nearly three-quarters (72%) of all nights spent by non-residents in EU hotels.
Source: Wall-Street
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the growth rate of winter tourism in Romania in 2018-2019?
Romania recorded an 8.6% increase in overnight stays, the highest growth rate among all European Union member states.
How did Romania’s growth compare to the EU average?
Romania’s growth was nearly four times higher than the EU average, which stood at 2.6% for the 2018-2019 winter season.
Which EU countries experienced a decline in winter tourism?
Only Greece and Malta saw a decrease in overnight stays during this period, with drops of 8.3% and 3.5% respectively.