14.5% drop of foreign visitors arrivals in Romania in 2009

In 2009, the arrivals of foreign tourists in Romania, registered at border crossing points decreased by 14.5% compared to 2008, down to 7.575 mil. Most of tourists came from European countries, according to the National Institute of Statistics, INS.

63.4% of the total number of arrivals of foreign visitors in Romania came from EU member states. Hungary occupies the first position accounting with 38.3% of the arrivals, followed by Bulgaria – 18.3%, Germany – 9.2% and Italy – 7.8%.

Water transport reported the highest decrease that of 37.5% in 2009, compared to 2008.

The departures of Romanian visitors abroad reported at border crossing points registered 11.722 mil.last year, declining by 10.3% compared to the previous year. 

Road transport was mainly preferred by Romanian visitors for departures abroad, accounting for 79.6% of the total number of departures.

According to the data of the INS, arrivals registered in accommodation facilities in 2009 totalized 6.141 mil., declining by 13.8% compared to the previous year. Out of the total number of arrivals, 79.2% were Romanian tourists, while 20.8% were foreign tourists.

Arrivals in hotels accounted for 74.1% last year of the total number of arrivals in the accommodation facilities, dropping 13.4% compared to 2008.

Overnight stays reported in the accommodation establishments decreased by 16.4% compared to 2008, down to 17.325 mil. Out of the total number of overnight stays, Romanian tourists accounted for 84.6% and foreign tourists for 15.4%. 

Net occupancy of bed places in 2009 was 28.4% of the total number of accommodation facilities, declining by 6.6% compared to 2008.

Higher indicators of bed places occupancy in 2009 were registered by accommodation on cruise ships, respectively 82.8% and 33.5% in hotels.

In December 2009, arrivals of foreign visitors in Romania reported at border crossing points were of 568,600, decreasing by 7.3% compared to December 2008. Most of foreign visitors came from countries located in Europe, respectively 96.4%.

Departures of Romanian visitors abroad, reported at border crossing points registered 788,900 in December 2009, declining by 11.7% compared to December 2008. The most solicited mean of transport was road transport, as 77.4% of the total number of departures chose it.

Arrivals reported in accommodation facilities in December 2009 registered 359,600, decreasing by 12.8% compared to December 2008. Arrivals of Romanian tourists accounted for 81.3% of the total number of arrivals, while foreign tourists accounted for 18.7%. 

Arrivals in hotels represented 72.8% of the total arrivals in accommodation facilities in December 2009, dropping 10.2% compared to December 2008.

Overnight stays in accommodation establishments in December 2009 totalized 840,600, decreasing by 17.9% compared to December 2008. Overnight stays of Romanian tourists represented 84% of the total number of overnight stays, while foreign tourists represented 16% of the overnight stays.

The net occupancy of bed places in December 2009 was 18.1% on the total number of accommodation establishments, decreasing 4.8% compared to December 2008. Higher occupancy of bed places was registered by hotels, respectively 20.5% and inns, 20.3%.

Sursa: 9AM [04.02.2010], Daily Business [04.02.2010], HRB Expert [04.02.2010], Wall-Street [05.02.2010]