Foreign tourists coming to Romania primarily choose cultural circuits which, for the most part, include Bucharest, Prahova Valley, Brasov, Sibiu, the Saxon citadels, Maramures, Bucovina, the Danube Delta, and most often bypass the west and southwest of Romania or the Danube itself, Badulescu specified.
In addition to road infrastructure problems, a major issue is the workforce. The tourism industry lacks qualified personnel because many Romanians have gone to work abroad or opted for other fields.
„My opinion is that another problem lies in the failure to capitalize on all areas with tourist potential. One of them, and the main one, is the Danube area, with the exception of the Delta, which is included in circuits and programs. We have the Danube Delta, a unique natural tourist objective with which Romania stands out in the European Union. I believe the Delta can support a larger accommodation capacity, currently having several quality hotels and many guesthouses, as well as floating hotels, totaling about 6,000 places,” stated Traian Badulescu.
We could have tourist ports, developed beaches, mini-resorts, or mini-cruises organized for Romanians and residents. We could develop rural tourism and wine tourism along the Danube. Along the Danube, there are many wineries, such as Ostrov, Rasova, Daria, says Traian Badulescu.
According to him, besides the areas in the Danube region, there are still many others for which there should be interest from local and central authorities to capitalize on the tourist potential.
„Another tourist landmark could be the Baragan. It is true, with the exception of some resorts like Amara, which has started to develop again in recent years, this vast region lacks accommodation infrastructure. Rural tourism could be developed significantly here. The Baragan is an agricultural area with interesting traditions and customs,” stated Badulescu.
Source: Capital
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main obstacles to the development of Romanian tourism?
The lack of investment, poor road infrastructure, and a shortage of qualified labor are the primary barriers limiting annual growth to approximately 10%.
Which areas in Romania have high tourist potential but are currently ignored?
The Danube region (outside the Delta) and the Bărăgan region are areas with significant potential for rural, wine, and cruise tourism, but they lack the necessary accommodation infrastructure.
What types of tourism could be developed along the Danube?
The Danube offers opportunities for wine tourism (wineries like Ostrov or Rasova), short cruises, developed beaches, and tourist ports.