The number of foreign citizens who visited the Republic of Moldova through travel agencies increased by 55.1% in the first half of the current year compared to the same period last year. Most tourists came from Romania (58.3%) and Italy (23.8%). The data were presented by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
According to the NBS, in January-June 2024, approximately 25.6 thousand foreign citizens visited the country through travel agencies. The majority of people (95.1%) visited the country for a single day. They arrived for purposes of rest, recreation, and leisure.
At the same time, the number of tourists and days spent in the country increased by 59.1% compared to the same period last year. Thus, the average length of stay was 4.0 days, compared to 3.1 days.
In January-June 2024, the number of citizens who traveled abroad through travel agencies also increased. The figure rose by 19.6%, reaching 141.0 thousand people.
The majority of citizens (99.2%) traveled for purposes of rest, recreation, and leisure. Moldovans preferred to visit Turkey (43.6%), Egypt (15.1%), Bulgaria (14.5%), and Romania (12.6%).
The number of tourists and days spent abroad increased by 19.1% compared to January-June 2023. The average length of stay for Moldovans abroad was 6.5 days.
The number of Moldovans choosing to vacation within the country increased by 11.5%, involving about 43.5 thousand people. The majority (79.0%) were single-day visitors. The travel of citizens within the country for tourism purposes was most often organized by travel agencies and tour operators from Chisinau (45.4%), the Center development region (40.5%), and the South (12.1%).
In January-June 2024, the revenues of travel agencies and tour operators amounted to 1,548.6 million RON (approx. 77.4 million EUR), up 15.7% compared to the same period last year.
From inbound tourism (those arriving in the country), 23.7 million RON (1.1 million EUR) were collected, representing a 54.7% increase compared to the same period last year.
Additionally, from outbound tourism (those leaving the country), 1,441.6 million RON (72 million EUR) were obtained, a 15.7% increase. Similarly, from domestic tourism, 83.4 million RON (4.1 million EUR) were collected, up 7.7% from the same period last year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries provide the most tourists to Moldova?
In the first half of 2024, the largest groups of foreign tourists came from Romania (58.3%) and Italy (23.8%).
How much has tourism revenue increased in Moldova?
Total revenues for travel agencies rose by 15.7% to 1.54 billion RON, with inbound tourism revenue growing significantly by 54.7%.
Where do Moldovan citizens prefer to travel for vacation?
Turkey remains the top destination for Moldovans (43.6%), followed by Egypt (15.1%), Bulgaria (14.5%), and Romania (12.6%).