One in three Romanian tourists (35%) plans to spend between 200 and 600 euros per person on their vacation abroad, according to the results of the Visa “Travel and Payment Intentions 2023” study, conducted across eight markets in Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania.
Digital payments are among the most popular payment methods for the surveyed tourists from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries, with over three-quarters saying they intend to pay this way during their holiday abroad. This trend is also observed in Romania: 81% of Romanians who choose to spend their vacation outside the country state that they will pay by card, mobile phone, or smartwatch during their holiday.
The main advantages of card payments abroad, mentioned by regional respondents, are convenience (58%), the security of not risking the loss of cash (53%), and speed (52%).
More than a fifth (22%) of Romanian tourists want to pay abroad with their phone or a smartwatch. In CEE, mobile payments abroad are also popular among tourists from Poland (22%) and Hungary (21%).
Over half (51%) of Romanians planning a vacation abroad intend to use the same payment card abroad as at home. Others prefer to pay abroad with a different card than the one used in Romania. This is more common in the case of Romanians (25%), Poles (24%), and Hungarians (23%). Three-quarters of the surveyed CEE tourists traveling outside their country decide on the payment method they will use abroad before leaving on vacation.
With the growth of e-commerce, we increasingly prefer to pay online for various products and services. Thus, it is not surprising that we choose to make online payments for vacations as well. 83% of Romanians who organize their vacation on their own state that they will pay for certain services online, and 3 out of 4 of them claim they will use a card or digital wallet. 58% will purchase accommodation online, 40% transportation, and 19% choose to pay online for entry tickets or additional excursions.
The Visa study shows that 64% of Romanians who choose vacation packages abroad will buy them online, through travel agency websites or aggregator-type platforms that include offers from several tour operators. Approximately three-quarters of these (74%) pay by card or digital wallet. Buying vacations online is most common in Croatia (78% of travel agency clients buy online), Slovakia (76%), and Slovenia (74%).
Despite inflation, Romanians want to spend their vacations abroad; 26% of surveyed Romanians plan to go on vacation abroad this year. 35% of Romanian tourists intend to spend between 200 and 600 euros per person during their holiday abroad, with an average vacation duration of seven days.
Of the Romanians who confirmed they will go on holiday abroad, over two-thirds (69%) want to travel at least twice this year, and the second getaway will usually last 1-2 days. These are mainly city breaks, particularly popular among younger generations: Millennials and Gen Z.
Romanians traveling abroad primarily intend to rest, combining relaxation with sightseeing. At the same time, one in five (19%) surveyed Romanians plans to spend their holidays visiting family and friends living abroad.
51% of surveyed Romanians traveling abroad do not intend to cancel their plans, even if inflation remains at a high level and living costs continue to rise. However, 57% of respondents say they might look for more advantageous accommodation options in this case, and 55% will consider shortening their vacation.
For more than half of Romanians (55%), the geopolitical situation does not affect their vacation plans abroad, while 41% state that this year they will finally go on the vacation previously postponed due to the pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical budget for a Romanian tourist traveling abroad?
According to Visa research, 35% of Romanian tourists plan to spend between 200 and 600 euros per person.
How popular are digital payments among Romanian travelers?
Digital payments are highly preferred, with 81% of Romanians planning to use cards, mobile phones, or smartwatches for transactions abroad.
Has inflation changed the travel plans of Romanians?
While 51% of Romanians do not plan to cancel their trips, many are adapting by seeking cheaper accommodation (57%) or shorter stays (55%).