Travel agencies and hotel owners expect Romanians to flock to the seaside during the May 1 mini break. The President of Romania's tourism association (ANAT) and the coast and Danube Delta association Corina Martin has said that more than 30,000 visitors are expected at the Black Sea beaches for the May 1 holidays. She said she was hoping even bigger crowds than last year would turn up and get Romania's beach season off to a strong start. Last year, 30,000 tourists made the trip to Romania's coast, following the traditional May 1 start to the beach season.

The tourism association representative promised “surprises” for holidaymakers taking advantage of the extra days off work this year, following the government decision to add extra connecting days to make an extra long weekend. Shows, parades, concerts and events at night clubs are all promised for the May 1 holidays on the Romanian coast, said Corina Martin during a press conference today (March 11 ).

The President of the Mamaia seaside resort owners association Nicolae Bucovală said 50 percent of package deals for May 1 had already been sold. He gave an average price of RON 40 – 75 (EUR 10 - EUR 18 ) per night in a three-star hotel at the resort, depending on options such as meals included, but he added that many hotels have special offers for the holidays.

The Romanian Government recently decided to grant two extra days off, on May 2 and 3, after the official Labor Day on May 1 – already a national holiday – and before Orthodox Easter. May 1 will be on a Wednesday, and the following Thursday and Friday will also be free days but only for public employees. This will create a long vacation, as Orthodox Romanians celebrate Easter on May 5 this year.

The change was lobbied for by tourism associations keen for the sector to cash-in from the extra long weekend, as Romanians usually flock to tourism resorts around May 1, but the outcome may not live up to their expectations, as the bulk of tourists work in the private sector. Romania has around 1.2 million workers in its public sector, while the total number of workers in Romania’s economy was estimated at some 6.6 million end 2011, including the black market workers.

The beginning of May is traditionally the kick off season on the Romanian seaside, with many tourists choosing to spend May 1 in one of the resorts, even if the weather is not yet very warm.

editor@romania-insider.com