The value of holiday vouchers purchased by employers up to August 1 fell to EUR 79.58 million, marking a 10% decrease compared to 2025 and a 70% drop compared to 2024, according to data provided by the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT). This contraction in volume directly impacts revenues across the local hospitality industry, at a time when Romania records the second-steepest decline in tourist overnight stays in the European Union.
According to statements made by Adrian Voican, Vice President of ANAT, cited by news.ro, the funds spent this year indicate that 522,500 Romanians used the vouchers, based on a nominal value of EUR 152.31 per beneficiary. Concurrently, reimbursements to accommodation units fell by 53.56%, from EUR 165.86 million in 2025 to EUR 77.02 million, representing a 62.27% drop compared to 2024 levels. Sector representatives emphasize that the tool supports jobs, tax compliance, and hotel operations, having even been cited by the OECD as a best practice model, yet recent government measures have curtailed its impact.
Legislative amendments reduced the voucher’s value from EUR 304.63 to EUR 152.31. For the period between January 1 and December 31, 2026, the vouchers are intended for employees with net monthly base salaries of up to EUR 1.14 thousand, eliminating the co-payment requirement that was in force in 2025. In the previous year, the benefit applied to public sector employees with net salaries of up to EUR 1.52 thousand, who were required to cover half the cost of a tourist package of at least EUR 304.63 in order to use the EUR 152.31 voucher. In this context, the Federation of Hospitality Industry Employers in Romania called for relaunching the program as an economic policy tool, by raising the annual value to EUR 304.63 – 380.79 and introducing a 20% bonus for off-season use between October and May.
The downward trend is also corroborated by Eurostat data, with Romania reporting a 6.7% drop in the share of overnight stays in tourist accommodations during the first six months of the year, surpassed at the European level only by Cyprus (-7.7%). In contrast, countries such as Ireland (+14.6%), Malta (+9.9%), and Slovakia (+5.9%) posted the highest increases within the European bloc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did holiday voucher purchases drop in Romania?
Employer purchases dropped to EUR 79.58 million by August 1, down 10% from 2025 and 70% compared to 2024.
What legislative changes caused this reduction?
The voucher value was halved from EUR 304.63 to EUR 152.31, and eligibility was restricted to employees earning up to EUR 1.14 thousand net per month.
How has this affected tourist stays in Romania compared to the EU?
Romania recorded a 6.7% drop in tourist overnight stays in the first half of the year, the second-steepest decline in the EU after Cyprus.