The number of foreign tourists to Romania could double in the next two to three years if the country will continue to focus on promoting the mountains area, the Delta, the monasteries and the countryside life, according to the World Tourism Organization.

Some 8 million people are crossing Romania's borders each year, and the estimations point to 1.3 million tourists. “For a very long period of time, Romania focused on its seaside, which is an important asset. But Romania's uniqueness relies in the mountains, the fields, the countryside living, which started to be used to their potential in the last three years,” said Taleb Rifai, secretary general of the organization.

Another focus for the Romanian authorities should not be only to increase the number of tourists, but convince the existing ones to spend more money in the country, by increasing their average stay in Romania. The country where tourists spend the most is the US, because there are plenty of activities there, then follow Switzerland, Italy and Spain, according to Rifai. In his opinion, Romania should not compared itself to Bulgaria just because they share the seaside, but rather to countries like Switzerland or Slovenia, with a similar terrain.

The World Tourism Organization represetative visited Romania for a couple of days, having met president Traian Basescu and Tourism Minister Elena Udrea, as well as Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Baconschi.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Sxc.hu)