Arrivals and overnight stays dropped in the first seven months

Arrivals in accommodation establishments in Romania reached 3,455.2 thousands between January 1 and July 31 2009, declining 13.6% compared to the results registered the same period last year, according to the data of the National Institute of Statistics, INS. Arrivals of Romanian tourists accounted for 79.2% of the total, while the rest of 20.8% were arrivals of foreign tourists.

Arrivals in hotels account for 73.6% of the total, compared to 74.1% between January 1 and July 31, 2008.

In the first seven months of the current year, overnight stays amounted to 9,309.6 thousand, declining by 16.9% compared to the same period last year. Out of the total overnight stays, Romanian tourists accounted for 83.8%, while foreign tourists represented 16.2%.

Net bed-places occupancy was 26.9% in the period for the total of accommodation establishments, dropping 6.5% compared to the similar period last year.

Accommodation facilities on cruise ships and hotels registered higher bed-places occupancy rates, respectively 81.7% and 31.5%.

Arrivals of foreign tourists in our country registered at border crossing points were 4,297.9 thousand, falling by 13.9% compared to the same period in 2008.

Also, departures of Romanian tourists abroad registered at border decreased by 3.3% compared to the same period in 2008, down to 6,854.2 thousand.

In July 2009, arrivals and overnight stays in accommodation establishments declined by 10.9%, 14.9% respectively compared to 2008, according to INS.

Arrivals in accommodation facilities registered 809,0 thousand in July, out of which 83.3% were Romanian tourists and the rest of 16.7% were foreign tourists.

In July 2009, arrivals in hotels account for 72.6% of the total arrivals, declining 11.2% compared to July 2008.

The number of overnight stays in July 2009 reached 2,743.6 thousand, out of which 89.5% were Romanian tourists, while foreign tourists represented 10.5%.

In July, the net bed-places occupancy was 38.1% in the total accommodation establishments, decreasing by 7.3% compared to July last year.

Higher rates were registered by accommodation facilities like cruise ships – 80.1% and hotels – 44.6%.

Arrivals of foreign tourists at border crossing points amounted to 847.4 thousand in July 2009, declining 18.6% compared to July 2008.

Most foreign visitors, respectively 94.4%, come from European countries. 62.7% of the total arrivals of foreign visitors are from EU member states.

Departures of Romanian visitors abroad, registered 1,174.3 thousand in July 2009, going down by 14.8% compared to July 2008.

Romanians chose to travel abroad by car, representing 79.4% of the departures.

Sursa: Capital [03.09.2009], Daily Business [03.09.2009], einformatii [03.09.2009], Mediafax [03.09.2009], Money [03.09.2009], Replica de Constanta [04.09.2009], Wall-Street [04.09.2009], Ziarul Financiar [03.09.2009]