The Government aims to stimulate the trade balance in tourism by granting bonuses to agencies that bring in foreign tourists, planning to launch a program to this effect as early as this year. Under this scheme, for example, the state would cover half the cost of the first night’s accommodation for a foreign tourist, provided they stay in the country for at least four nights, announced the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Constantin-Daniel Cadariu.
“We have observed, from the reports of the National Institute of Statistics, that during 2021, Romania’s trade balance does not look good at all; we have a trade deficit of over EUR 20 billion, which means a monthly deficit of over EUR 1.5 billion. One explanation could be, for example, the fact that external promotion—both in the economic field in general and in tourism—could not be carried out. In 2020, many fairs were not held; in 2021, unfortunately, my predecessor at the ministry blocked participation in such fairs.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new government incentive for tourism?
The government plans to grant bonuses to travel agencies that bring foreign tourists to Romania, potentially covering half the cost of the first night’s stay.
What are the conditions for receiving this bonus?
To qualify for the incentive, the foreign tourist must stay in Romania for a minimum of four nights.
Why is the Romanian government introducing this measure?
The measure aims to reduce the national trade deficit, which exceeded 20 billion EUR in 2021, by boosting the tourism sector and external promotion.