The number of overnight stays dropped 16.4% in 2009

According to the data of Eurostat, the number of overnight stays in hotels and other accommodation units reached 16.6 mil. last year, decreasing by 16.4% compared to 2008. Romania ranked 6 in the top of decreases reported in the European Union member states.

The countries which reported the highest decreases were Latvia – 23.3%, Lithuania – 20.4%, Cyprus – 19.7%, Slovakia – 18.1% and Bulgaria – 16.5%.

The number of foreign tourists’ overnight stays declined by 21.9% to 2.5 mil., while the number of overnight stays of residents decreased by 15.3% to 14 mil. overnight stays.

Foreign tourists in Romania account for 15% of the total number of overnight stays, the lowest in the European Union, according Eurostat.

Foreign tourists account for 20% in Germany, 24% Sweden, 27% in Finland and 30% in Poland. The countries attracting the most foreign tourists are Malta – 96%, Cyprus – 89%, Latvia – 73%, Greece and Austria – 72%.

Sursa: Banii Nostri [22.02.2010], Daily Business [22.02.2010], Evenimentul Zilei [22.02.2010], HRB Expert [24.02.2010], Ziarul Financiar [22.02.2010]