In May 2026, arrivals in tourist accommodation establishments in Romania recorded a marginal increase of 0.1% compared to the same period last year, reaching 1,121.1 thousand people, according to INS data. In contrast, overnight stays decreased by 4.3% to 2,159.2 thousand, a trend that reflects the reduction in the net utilization rate of tourist accommodation capacity.
Of the total arrivals in May, Romanian tourists accounted for 75.2%, while foreign visitors had a share of 24.8%. Regarding overnight stays, Romanian tourists held a share of 74.2%, and foreign tourists 25.8%. The average length of stay was stable, at 1.9 days for domestic tourists and 2.0 days for non-residents. Most foreign visitors came from Europe (213.3 thousand arrivals, up from the 183.3 thousand recorded in May 2025), followed by North America (25 thousand) and Asia (22.4 thousand). This structure is also maintained for overnight stays, where Europe leads with 420.2 thousand overnight stays, followed by North America with 128 thousand and Asia with 89.1 thousand.
The net utilization rate of accommodation capacity was 25.7% in May 2026, down by 2.5 percentage points compared to May 2025. For the first five months of the year (01.01-31.05.2026), this rate stood at 21.8%, marking a decline of 2.7 percentage points. During this five-month period, the largest volumes of arrivals were recorded in Bucharest (757.9 thousand people), Brașov (491.3 thousand people), and Cluj (233.7 thousand people), counties which also dominate the ranking of overnight stays. At the same time, the most arrivals of foreign tourists came from Italy (89.7 thousand people), Germany (85.2 thousand people), and the United Kingdom (60.1 thousand people).
Frequently Asked Questions
How did tourist arrivals in Romania perform in May 2026?
Tourist arrivals in Romania recorded a marginal increase of 0.1% in May 2026 compared to May 2025, reaching 1,121.1 thousand people.
Which countries did most foreign tourists come from?
The majority of foreign tourists visiting Romania in the first five months of 2026 came from Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Which Romanian counties recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals?
Bucharest, Brașov, and Cluj recorded the highest volumes of tourist arrivals and overnight stays during the first five months of 2026.