The Valiza.ro travel agency, co-owned by Andrei Șelaru (Selly), has become a member of the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT). Within the organization, Șelaru will lead a new working group dedicated to festivals and experience-based tourism, a move marking a strategy shift for the association under the new leadership of President Cristian Bărhălescu.
According to data provided by Profit.ro, the launch of the valiza.ro platform took place after the conclusion of the “Beach, Please!” festival, having been prepared since last spring. The agency’s entry into ANAT comes amid the launch of Nibiru, a tourism development project in Costinești through which Selly aims to attract visitors to the seaside via alternative experiences to traditional tourism. The investment in Nibiru was estimated by the founder at €50 million in its initial phase and includes a mall, an amusement park, an event space, and a nightclub.
The decision of ANAT’s Board of Directors to set up this working group aims to identify collaboration opportunities between agencies, event organizers, and other industry partners. The association’s new president, Cristian Bărhălescu, emphasized the need for ANAT to combine the more than three decades of experience of traditional agencies with the vision of new entrepreneurs to maintain the organization’s relevance and extend tourists’ stay in domestic destinations.
The recruitment of Andrei Șelaru comes after a change in leadership at the top of the association. Last year, former ANAT president and founder Alin Burcea publicly mocked the Nibiru project during a press conference in Antalya, calling the investment plans “childish statements” and citing the lack of flights carrying foreign tourists to Constanța Airport in 2025. In the meantime, Burcea was replaced in office by Cristian Bărhălescu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role will Selly hold within ANAT?
Andrei Șelaru (Selly) will lead a new working group within ANAT dedicated to festivals and experience-based tourism.
What is the Nibiru project and where is it located?
Nibiru is a tourism development project in Costinești estimated at €50 million in its initial phase, featuring a mall, amusement park, event space, and nightclub.
Who is the current president of ANAT?
The current president of ANAT is Cristian Bărhălescu, who replaced former president and founder Alin Burcea.