The Danube Delta, Mamaia seaside resort, and Baila Felix thermal spa resort were the most popular destinations in Romania in the 2016 summer holiday season, according to the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT).

The occupancy rate in these areas went close to 100% for several weeks, or at least three days of holiday.

The Danube Delta, the second largest river delta in Europe, registered a 20% increase in sales this summer, when compared to the same period in 2015, being the 2016 season’s revelation. The tourists spent an average of three days in the Delta.

The spa resorts saw a year-on-year increase of 18% in sales, Black Sea resorts registered a growth of 12%, while the sales for mountain resorts were at the same level as last year.

Mamaia was the most popular seaside resort this year, mainly due to the events organized to promote the resort, which attracted all categories of tourists, according to ANAT. Venus ranked second, followed by Jupiter and Eforie Nord.

The tourists spent an average of five days in seaside resorts, most of them preferring all inclusive packages offered this summer by a total of 23 hotels. The average price for a beach holiday was RON 637 (EUR 143) per person, compared to RON 563 (EUR 126) per person in 2015. The busiest months were July and August.

The local tour operators are currently seeking solutions to attract more tourists to seaside resorts starting 2017, as well as in May, June, and September. In this sense, ANAT plans to propose the Government a new program called The First Pool.

“The tourists are attracted to hotels that have swimming pools and offer relaxation and entertainment on the coast when the weather is not suitable for sunbathing and swimming in the sea,” said ANAT president Alin Burcea.

Baile Felix was the most popular thermal spa resort in Romania, followed by Calimanesti – Caciulata, Baile Herculane, Sovata, and Covasna. The average package had a price of RON 821 (EUR 184) per person this summer, for an average stay of seven days, up from RON 667 (EUR 149) last year.

Overall, sales for holidays in Romania, made via travel agencies, increased by an average of 15% year-on-year this summer. The growth was mainly registered due to the investments carried out in recent years in accommodation, entertainment areas, and relaxation. The international context also made more Romanians choose their home country for holidays.

4 million tourists at the Romanian seaside and in Danube Delta this summer

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com