The number of foreign tourists coming to Romania last year went up by 10.6% compared to 2015 to reach 2.47 million, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INS). Romania attracted 1.71 million foreign tourists in 2013, 1.91 million in 2014, and 2.23 million in 2015.

Most foreign tourists came from Europe, Asia, and North America. Some 1.84 million tourists came to Romania in 2016 from Europe, 354,500 from Asia, and 161,400 from the United States, INS data show. European tourists arriving to Romania came in higher numbers from Germany (281,704), Israel (251,908), Italy (233,787), and France (145,584).

The last month of 2016 saw 709,400 tourists in Romania, up 8.2% compared to December 2015. Of the total number, 567,000 were Romanians, and 142,400 foreigners.

Compared to neighboring Bulgaria, Romania is less attractive though. Bulgaria, a country of 7.26 million, attracted 8 million foreign tourists last year.

Some of the most visited tourist destinations in the country last year were the Bran Castle, the Rasnov medieval fortress, the ski resorts in Brasov and Prahova county, and the Bran and Moieciu villages,  popular for their traditional guest houses. Close to 500,000 foreign tourists visited the Bran Castle last year.

Nearly half a million foreign tourists come to central Romania to visit Dracula’s castle

editor@romania-insider.com