Romania became the holiday destination of choice for 12.8 percent more tourists last year, and most of them came from Germany, Italy and France, according to a report from the National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism.

Romania welcomed 12.1 percent more German tourists last year than in 2010. More Italians visited Romania – an increase of 18.5 percent, while 10.2 percent more French people chose Romania as a tourist destination. The number of British travelers was also up 12.8 percent, while only 1.8 percent more US tourists came to Romania in 2011.

Foreigners chose to spend 18.4 percent more during their stray in Romania last year than in 2010, according to data from the Tourism Ministry, which does not mention actual figures.

The Danube Delta was among the tourist destinations with higher growth in tourist arrivals last year- 62 percent growth, followed by spa resorts, with an increase in tourists of 20.3 percent. Large cities in Romania attracted 18 percent more tourists, while mountain resorts lost some of their popularity and got only 12.4 percent more foreign tourists.

Romania allotted EUR 820 million from the state budget and EU funds to promote tourism between 2009 and 2012, compared to a budget of EUR 20 million between 2006 and 2008.

editor@romania-insider.com