The local hotel market is gearing up for an accelerated expansion of the presence of international groups, with more than 5,000 new rooms to be delivered starting this year. This development will generate a 50% increase in current capacity affiliated to international brands, with a predominant focus on the premium four and five-star segment.
According to an analysis based on Horwath HTL Romania data and public information, five hotel units are to be inaugurated this year: Swissotel Bucharest, Hampton by Hilton Beliș-Fântânele, Autograph Collection by Marriott Arad, Hilton Garden Inn Craiova and Ibis Styles Erbașu Oradea. These projects are in addition to 32 other hotels planned for the coming years. The total volume of investments announced confirms the strategy of the big chains to focus on the luxury segment, with many of the properties classified as four and five-star.
The national hotel stock currently stands at around 110,000 rooms, but only 9,500 of these are affiliated to an international brand, a stock built up over nearly three decades. From this perspective, Romania ranks below other countries in the region, such as Hungary, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Bucharest remains the main driver of the market, attracting a third of new international affiliated projects. The capital is consolidating its position in the premium segment, with six five-star hotels scheduled to open. At the same time, there is a trend towards geographical diversification, with major groups turning their attention to secondary cities such as Baia Mare, Craiova, Sibiu, Oradea and Arad.