The Romanian tourism sector reported a decrease in key activity indicators in January 2026, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Both the number of arrivals and overnight stays in tourist reception structures recorded contractions compared to the same period last year, amid a decrease in the accommodation capacity utilization index.
In January 2026, arrivals in tourist reception structures totaled 785,800 people, a 7.3% decrease compared to January 2025. Of this total, Romanian tourists represented 81.6%, while foreign arrivals held a share of 18.4%. Overnight stays decreased by 8.5%, to a volume of 1.486 million. The average length of stay was reported at 1.8 days for Romanian tourists and 2.2 days for foreign ones. The net utilization index of accommodation places dropped to 20.4%, marking a decline of 2.4 percentage points.
At the regional level, the Capital led the top destinations with 124,000 arrivals and 264,500 overnight stays. Brașov occupied the second place, reporting 122,100 arrivals and 237,400 overnight stays, followed by Prahova county with 49,900 arrivals and 98,100 overnight stays. Regarding the origin of foreign visitors, the most arrivals were recorded from Italy (17,300 people), the Republic of Moldova (11,300 people), and Israel (11,000 people). The INS specifies that an arrival is counted upon registration in the accommodation register, and an overnight stay represents the 24-hour interval for which a person benefits from lodging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main reason for the decline in Romanian tourism in January 2026?
The decline was driven by a 7.3% drop in arrivals and an 8.5% decrease in overnight stays compared to the previous year, resulting in a lower occupancy rate of 20.4%.
Which cities remained the most popular destinations despite the overall decrease?
Bucharest remained the top destination with 124,000 arrivals, followed closely by Brașov and Prahova county.
Which countries provided the most foreign tourists to Romania during this period?
The highest numbers of foreign visitors came from Italy, the Republic of Moldova, and Israel.