More than 10% drop in tourist arrivals in Romania in January 2009

In January 2009, the number of tourists registered in accommodation facilities in Romania decreased by 10.6% compared to the same period in 2008, down to approximately 343,000 tourists, of which 19.7% were foreign tourists, according to the data provided by the National Institute of Statistics.

Arrivals in hotels registered a decrease of 13.2% compared to January 2008, while overnight stays dropped 16.2% down to 717,000.

In January 2009, the arrivals of foreign tourists at border crossing points decreased by 7.8%, down to 495,000 tourists compared to the same period in 2008. 62.5% of the tourists came from European Union member states.

In the first month of the current year, the number of Romanians leaving abroad was 990,000, 1.7% lower than in January last year.

Sursa: Bizcity [04.03.2009], Daily Business [05.03.2009], Travel Manager [04.03.2009], Ziarul Financiar [04.03.2009], Ziare.com [05.03.2009]