The UEFA Europa League final in Bucharest on Wednesday evening ( May 9 ) brought the highest number of foreign tourists ever to the Romanian capital, some 25,000, who spent around EUR 10 million in the city, according to the Association of Tourism Employers in Romania.

Around 10,000 Spanish guests, supporters of the two teams that played in the final, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, stayed at hotels in Bucharest, while 10,000 Romanians from across the country also stayed in Bucharest's hotels. The occupancy rate thus reached 95 percent. Bucharest has around 22,000 hotel rooms.

The average stay was of 2.5 nights and because of the high tariffs during this period, the average expense per night was of EUR 120, which translated into some EUR 3 million spent by Spaniards on accommodation alone.

Another 15,000 Spanish tourists came by charter flights and left immediately after the game.

In total, the 25,000 foreign tourists spent an average of EUR 150 on food, drinks and various shopping, generating revenues of EUR 6 million for local businesses. Transport in Bucharest and to and from the airport was another EUR 1 million, according to the estimation.

The final was attended by over 52,000 on Romania's National Arena. Atletico Madrid won the final 3-0, the team's second Europa League title in three years.

editor@romania-insider.com