Some 30,000 Romanians To Spend Easter In Local Resorts – Tourism Agency

Overall, this year tourism companies expect some 80,000 Romanians to purchase holiday packs during Easter, with over 60% of them choosing local destinations.

 

Thus, 50,000-60,000 people will spend their holidays in Romania, while another 20,000-25,000 tourists will go abroad, compared to last year when 80,000 Romanians preferred local resorts and 35,000 went abroad.

 

"The numbers are lower compared to what we have registered last year, but this year Easter and May no longer overlap, which means Romanians are taking two vacations instead of one" Traian Badulescu, spokesperson for the National Association of Tourism Agencies, told MEDIAFAX.

 

According to Badulescu, agencies expect a purchase peak sometime next week, adding the purchase of Easter tourism packs is stimulated by "early booking" offers. According to ANAT data, agencies sold this year over 12,000 packs through the “early booking” program, with the total value of packs booked early reaching RON12 million.

 

According to Badulescu, most tourists targeted mountain and rural resorts, but also the seaside, which will register a significant growth in the number of tourists, compared to the same interval of the previous year.

 

As for destinations abroad, so far there have been reservations made for 70% of agency offers.

 

"In this interval Romanians prefer orthodox countries, like Greece or Bulgaria, as well as cities with strong cultural backgrounds, such as Athens or Istanbul. Aside from these locations, Romanians also buy vacations in Tunisia or Turkey, as well as in Egypt, Cyprus," Badulescu said.

 

At the same time, some of the Romanian tourists go with European capitals, such as Vienna, Budapest or Paris.

 

As for the prices of packages, Badulescu said for local resorts prices range from EUR50 to EUR150, depending on lodging, services and stay. While destinations abroad cost between EUR60 and EUR1,000, sometimes more.

 

"Bulgaria is an accessible destination, where a two-night all-inclusive vacation can even cost EUR30 during Easter," Badulescu said.

 

As for foreign tourists visiting Romania during Easter, their numbers are low, since this is a time when orthodox Easter is celebrated, but not the catholic one.

 

Orthodox Easter is celebrated this year on April 19.