The National Authority for Tourism (ANT) is attempting to change the rules and the manner of Romania’s participation in international tourism fairs, aiming to impose standard stands and advance rent payments to organizers, targeting a reduction in expenses of over 30%.
The former Ministry of Economy and Trade, which oversaw tourism, approved Romania’s participation in 35 international tourism fairs next year; however, in the opinion of ANT President Anca Nedea, these are “quite many.” She would have preferred fewer events so that the budget allocated to each could increase, making Romania’s presence more visible.
Nedea specified that 2-3 days before a fair, it wasn’t even known if Romania would have a stand or if it could participate. Romania was viewed by international fair organizers as a bad payer, with events for which the state had outstanding payments dating back even to 2013.
She also noted that auctions for stand construction were poorly organized, and participants would boycott each other, blocking the designation of a winner.
To maintain a high-visibility space, the organizer requires a participation guarantee. “The sooner you pay it, the more you can benefit from large discounts,” added Anca Nedea. According to the law, these advances could not be paid by the state before the event, which is why ANT ended up paying much more than representatives of other countries.
In 2014, Romania spent over 3.3 million EUR on fair participation, money coming exclusively from European funds. This amount could decrease by over 30% starting next year, Nedea estimated, only if Romania manages to pay advances for event attendance.
The reduction would be necessary, especially since from next year Romania can no longer access European funds for tourism promotion, and all money will come from the budget.
At the same time, the head of ANT observed that although ANT paid for stand construction, the institution did not keep the produced materials after the fair, regardless of whether they were in good condition or degraded. Consequently, for future fairs, the tender specifications will stipulate that materials remain the property of ANT.
ANT intends to reduce costs from the actual construction of the stands as well. Very small stands, up to 20 sqm, will be standard, and a minimal unitary model will be established for their construction, in accordance with the branding manual. For large, customized stands, auctions will be organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is ANT aiming to reduce international fair expenses?
The reduction is necessary because tourism promotion will no longer be eligible for EU funding starting next year, requiring full financing from the national budget.
What strategies will be used to achieve the 30% cost reduction?
Key strategies include paying rent in advance to secure discounts, standardizing small stands, and ensuring that construction materials remain the property of the state.
How will Romania’s strategy for international tourism fairs change?
The focus will shift toward higher visibility at fewer, more strategic events, moving away from the previous model of participating in a high volume of fairs with limited impact.