Travel agency representatives estimate a 5-8% growth in tourism this year
The National Institute of Statistics announced that Romania’s GDP grew by 3.7% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.
Lucia Morariu, owner of the travel company Eximtur, considers the GDP advance to be real and hopes this growth will be sustainable. „For now, we identify an increase in population consumption, as it is most visible in the area of vacations and travel. I estimate a 5-8% growth in tourism in 2015 compared to 2014,” Morariu stated.
The entrepreneur’s opinion is also supported by representatives of the Perfect Tour agency.
Perfect Tour representatives also estimate a 5-8% growth in tourism in 2015 compared to 2014 and maintain that if economic growth keeps pace, 2015 promises to be positive in several sectors. In the first six months of this year, Perfect Tour recorded a growth of over 5% compared to the same period in 2014.
The company Happy Tour recorded growth across all business lines in the first half of this year. Company representatives believe that measures adopted at the macroeconomic level have stimulated consumption and internal demand, contributing to this GDP growth. However, they hope this trend will be both sustainable and balanced in the medium and long term, thus helping the growth of the tourism and travel sector in Romania, as is happening globally.
Furthermore, across the entire market, 2015 started "very well," with early booking sales increases of 5-8% above the previous year’s level, says Cosmin Marinof, national sales director of TUI TravelCenter through Eurolines.
Alin Burcea, owner of Paralela 45, says that this GDP growth in the first half is also reflected in tourism sales increases. "It is very good, but it could have been even better; I would have liked it to be 5%," Burcea added regarding the 3.7% GDP growth in the first 6 months.
Source: Wall-Street
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the projected growth for Romanian tourism in 2015?
Industry experts estimate a growth of 5% to 8% compared to 2014, driven by increased consumer spending.
How much did Romania’s GDP grow in the first half of the year?
According to the National Institute of Statistics, the GDP increased by 3.7% compared to the same period in the previous year.
Which factors are driving the tourism increase?
The growth is attributed to macroeconomic measures stimulating internal demand and a significant rise in early booking sales.