Daniel Cadariu, the Minister of Tourism and Entrepreneurship, explained the reasons why he believes Romanian tourism will recover this year, and could even record higher figures than in 2019, a year considered a peak in the field.
The Minister specified that at the Ministry level, a possible second stage of the HORECA aid scheme is being discussed.
He added that there are other premises, created since the end of last year, for intense tourism activity in 2022, which would give the chance to exceed those indicators from 2019, a year considered a peak for what Romanian tourism means. “I am referring to the capital infusion that the state achieved through the HORECA aid scheme. We are talking about 450 million EUR coming to this field in the months of December and January. Another argument is that holiday vouchers have been reintroduced for employees in the budgetary sector, and the possibility has been introduced for vouchers remaining from 2019 and 2020 to be used until June 30,” the minister explained.
He specified that HORECA entrepreneurs will also receive support in the second half of the year: “They made an estimate of the losses and submitted a substantiation material. The amount rises, from their estimates, somewhere to 280 million EUR. Discussions took place at the prime minister level, but also in the presence of the Minister of Finance. We proposed an Emergency Ordinance (OUG) that has already been adopted by the Government, and now we are discussing with HORECA representatives to build the actual aid scheme. We are waiting for the budget rectification.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the estimated value for the second stage of the HORECA aid scheme?
According to estimates from entrepreneurs in the field, the amount required for the second stage of the aid scheme is approximately 280 million EUR.
Until when can holiday vouchers remaining from previous years be used?
Holiday vouchers remaining unused from 2019 and 2020 can be used by beneficiaries until June 30.
What amounts have already been injected into the HORECA sector through state schemes?
In the months of December and January, the state carried out a capital infusion of 450 million EUR to support the HORECA sector.