The Romanian Riviera maintains its upward trend, with bookings for the first two months being on average 25% higher than the same period last year, even though rates have increased by 10-15%.
“Early Booking” programs enjoyed significant interest, with reservations starting as early as last autumn offering discounts of up to 60% off base package rates. Holiday vouchers also contributed to this, with their value in 2023 reaching nearly 2 billion RON, 95% of which have already been redeemed.
Rates on the Romanian Riviera increased by an average of 10-15%, though some hotels maintained their 2023 prices. Thus, the average price of a stay on the coast is 2,250 RON, compared to 1,750 RON last year, with an average stay duration of 4.5 nights.
Tourists are more attentive to their holiday budgets and the quality/price ratio, preferring higher-rated units with additional facilities. All-inclusive hotels are favored for 2024, with 51 such hotels currently operating on the coast, providing 23,746 accommodation spots—a 28% increase compared to last year.
On the Romanian Riviera, 4,000 classified accommodation units are available this year, according to the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism, with 155,927 accommodation spots, a 15% increase compared to 2023. These represent 25% of the total number of spots in Romania.
The number of hotels on the coast has increased compared to 2023, with 387 units this year compared to 292 in 2023, categorized as follows: eight 5-star hotels, eighty-one 4-star, two hundred and ten 3-star, seventy-three 2-star, and fifteen 1-star hotels.
The number of tourists arriving for holidays on the coast increased in 2023 to 1.57 million people, 8.2% more than in 2022, according to the Constanța County Statistics Directorate. At the same time, overnight stays recorded in tourist reception structures were 5.20 million in 2023, 9.4% more than in 2022.
Concurrently, the number of tourists arriving in the first two months of 2024 was 44,200 people, compared to 41,200 people in the January-February 2023 period, recording a 7.3% growth. Foreign tourists, numbering 4,163 people in the first two months of 2024, are 0.7% more than those who arrived in the January-February 2023 period (4,134 people), holding a 9.4% share of total tourists. The most numerous foreigners visiting Constanța in the first two months of 2024 were from the United States of America (698 people), followed by those from Turkey (450 people).
The resorts preferred by Romanian tourists are, in order: Mamaia and Mamaia Nord, Eforie Nord, Venus, Neptun-Olimp, Jupiter, Saturn, Cap Aurora, Costinești, Vama Veche, Eforie Sud, Techirghiol, Mangalia.
In 2023, the tourism industry in Romania represented 4.19% of the country’s GDP, compared to 2.98% in 2019, which is considered a benchmark year for tourism. At the same time, Romania surpassed 2019 by 0.28% regarding arrivals in classified accommodation units, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have bookings increased despite higher prices?
The growth is driven by “Early Booking” discounts of up to 60%, the utilization of nearly 2 billion RON in holiday vouchers, and a shift toward higher-quality services.
How has the All-Inclusive hotel segment changed in 2024?
The All-Inclusive segment saw a 28% increase in capacity compared to last year, with 51 hotels now offering 23,746 accommodation spots.
What is the average cost and duration of a stay on the Romanian coast?
The average stay costs 2,250 RON, up from 1,750 RON last year, with an average duration of 4.5 nights.