Romania today draws fewer foreign tourists than it did under communism, making it the only country in Europe where international arrivals have declined over the past four decades, according to data compiled by the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT).
In 1980, more than 3.4 million foreign visitors came to Romania each year. By the time of the 1989 Revolution, the number was around 3.2 million. Now, after more than 30 years of democracy, open borders and European integration, Romania struggles to attract just over two million international tourists annually.
This is probably the only macroeconomic indicator where Romania performs worse than before 1989. Tourism remains the only sector without a coherent or consistent national strategy since the Revolution
Alin Burcea, president of ANAT
Official data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) show that while roughly 14.8 million foreigners crossed Romania’s borders in 2023, only 1.5 to 2.2 million actually stayed in registered accommodation facilities between 2022 and 2024.
Left behind in the region
While Romania’s visitor numbers stagnate, neighboring countries have seen explosive growth. Albania, once one of Europe’s most isolated nations, now attracts six times more tourists than Romania. Hungary welcomes a similar multiple, and Bulgaria, with a comparable Black Sea coastline, draws three times more visitors.
Even smaller or war-affected countries are outperforming Romania: Poland counts 7.9 million foreign tourists, Serbia around 2.4 million, and Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict, 2.5 million.
At the top of Europe’s tourism rankings, France remains the global leader with 101 million visitors per year, followed by Spain with 94 million, Italy with 68.5 million, Turkey with over 50 million, and Greece with more than 40 million.
Articolul Romania falls behind Europe as foreign tourist numbers drop below communist-era levels a fost publicat prima dată în Money Buzz! • Știri Economice, Știri Financiare, Știri Business