Number of tourists in Romania increases

In the first nine months of 2011, the number of foreign tourists who visited Romania increased by almost 12.6 percent compared to last year, and the number of Romanian tourists by 16.9 percent, according to a press release issued by Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism that quotes the processed data received from the National Institute of Research and Development in Tourism.

In the analysed period, the Danube Delta and health resorts registered the biggest increase in the number of tourists.

In the Danube Delta the number of visitors increased by 45.2 percent, and in health resorts by 23.7 percent.

The Minister of Regional Development and Tourism, Elena Udrea, claims that these data are proof that the Romanian tourism has been re-launched due the ministry’s investment in the tourism infrastructure and promotion.

“The amazing increase registered in the Delta was the result of the opening of the port in Sfântu-Gheorghe and the creation of a tourist route in Dobrogea, entitled the Monasteries Triangle, which connects three monasteries that are often visited by tourists, Celic Dere, Saon and Cocoşu”, Elena Udrea stated.

The data of the National Institute of Research and Development in Tourism show that Romanians mostly prefer health resorts, Bucharest, big cities and mountain resorts, while foreign tourists prefer the Danube Delta, small localities, villages, towns.

The Minister of Regional Development and Tourism made important investments in the tourism infrastructure, marketing and the promotion of Romanian destinations, using European funds, as well as funds from the state budget.

Between 2009 and 2011, 821 million euros have been allocated from the state budget and European funds for the tourism development, whereas in 2006-2008 only 20 million euros were allocated.

Translated by: Camelia-Aura Barbu
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University