Tourism operators are calling for the sector to be managed by a dedicated ministry or a National Tourism Authority starting this year, as well as for 10 percent of the savings generated by the state through the reduction of holiday vouchers to be reinvested in the industry.
"The contrast is clear and unacceptable: while the rest of Europe reports historic positive records, Romanian tourism is declining for the first time since the pandemic: 10 out of 12 months, the last month showing a 12 percent drop in Romanian tourists! The state must act now, before it is too late. We urgently call for 10 percent of the savings from voucher reductions to be redirected back into the tourism industry. We need revival programmes for domestic and incoming tourism. Tourism must be first on the list of the 4 billion allocated for economic recovery. We need to correct a foreign exchange imbalance in which the import of tourism services sends 4.5 billion euros more abroad than comes into the country. There is no more time for delays or compromise solutions: we need specialists who will be listened to, in a dedicated ministry capable of collaborating with the private sector. Tourism has no political colour! It is an economic engine that must work for the people. Every day of hesitation represents a direct, deliberate blow to the national economy,' Romania's National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT) Vice-President Adrian Voican said, as quoted in a release.
In 2025, tourism revenues experienced a sharp decline, caused by the cumulative effect of falling purchasing power, increased VAT, rising utility prices, and the reduced value of holiday vouchers.
Recent data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) on tourist arrivals indicate that the downward trend continues and the problems in Romanian tourism are worsening. In December 2025, total arrivals contracted by 5.8 percent compared with the same period the previous year. The most worrying aspect remains the performance of Romanian tourists, which has marked a chronic decline, reaching the seventh consecutive month of decrease, with a fall that intensified to 12 percent.
According to the quoted source, the situation is equally critical in terms of overnight stays. December 2025 saw a total drop of 6.2 percent compared with December 2024. The gap between the two markets is widening: a historic collapse of 13.4 percent among Romanian tourists, counterbalanced by a 25.3 percent increase in overnight stays by foreign visitors.
In practice, the analysis of the most recent INS data on tourist flows in 2025 raises a warning regarding a dangerous paradigm shift for the hospitality industry. Although the year began with optimism, registering double-digit growth in the first month, the final month confirms the most severe deterioration in domestic tourism consumption in recent years. This negative trend, anticipated by the National Association of Travel Agencies and by tour operators' analyses, is now officially validated by the figures, according to the quoted source. The contrast is striking: while the start of the year promised a historic record, and across Europe accommodation levels reached their highest ever, in Romania the past seven months have confirmed a sharp decline, cancelling growth prospects and highlighting the sector's vulnerability to the falling purchasing power of Romanians, tourism representatives warn.
For 2026, travel preferences are increasingly turning towards nature experiences and outdoor events, seen as a lifestyle choice and a way to escape daily routines. Ecotourism is becoming a central element in planning family holidays, with a focus on promoting local traditions and preserving cultural and natural heritage. Interest in outdoor recreational activities continues to grow, signalling a visible shift in the way Romanian tourists choose their destinations.
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