European Funds and Private Investments in Local Tourism
Romania’s tourism sector is undergoing a modernization phase supported by new funding lines through the PNRR and cross-border programs, complemented by private investments in the wellness and health segment. While authorities are launching a €10 million call for projects for local tourism infrastructure, the hospitality market is projected to reach a value of €2.28 billion in 2026, amid a diversification of demand toward prevention services.
The Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism confirmed the opening of the platform for submitting projects under Component C11 of the PNRR on March 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The €10 million budget is allocated to administrative-territorial units (UAT) that are members of Destination Management Organizations. Non-reimbursable financial support is capped at €300,000 for communes, €125,000 for cities and municipalities that are not county seats, and €100,000 for county councils and county seats, respectively. The session remains open until April 15, 2026, with selection based on the “first-come, first-served” principle.
At the regional level, the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Republic of Moldova 2021-2027 program mobilizes total investments of €76.2 million through 88 projects currently under execution. Of this amount, over €68 million represents non-reimbursable funds from the European Union. The partnership includes 224 institutions and targets areas such as social development (46 projects in health, education, and tourism, including the €1.66 million PreMED project), environmental protection, and good governance. The total budget allocated to this cross-border program for the entire period is €97.3 million.
In the private segment, investments are stimulated by the growth of the global wellness economy, estimated at €5.87 trillion in 2024 and €8.46 trillion by 2029. The TISA Group, active in Băile Olănești, is completing a €6 million investment in 2026 in Grand Hotel TISA, a four-star unit with 71 rooms. The company, which recorded a turnover of over €3 million in 2025, reflects the changing profile of the tourist: the average age has dropped to 45, and 22% of clients opt exclusively for relaxation and wellness. Romania’s hospitality market is estimated to grow annually by over 7%, reaching €3.27 billion by 2031.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the budget for the PNRR tourism infrastructure call?
The budget is 10 million EUR, specifically for administrative-territorial units that are members of Destination Management Organizations.
How much funding is available through the Interreg RO-MD program?
The program mobilizes 76.2 million EUR for 88 projects, with over 68 million EUR provided as non-reimbursable EU funds.
What are the growth projections for the Romanian hospitality market?
The market is expected to reach 2.28 billion EUR in 2026 and grow to 3.27 billion EUR by 2031, driven by wellness and prevention services.