The top five tourism agencies in Romania had lower revenues by EUR 52 mil. in 2009

In 2009. the five largest tourism agencies on the Romanian market, Happy Tour, Eximtur, Aerotravel, Perfect Tour and Marshal Turism, reported revenues lower by almost EUR 52 mil. EUR, according to the preliminary results, accounting for a 30% decrease compared t0 2008, when revenues were EUR 180 mil.

The only agency which has not published the last year results yet is Eximtur from Cluj, but which had a 23% decrease on the first nine months, on which Ziarul Financiar has estimated the annual turnover of the agency, also based on the average market decrease of 30%.

Happy Tour reported a 42% turnover decrease in 2009, to EUR 29 mil., according to company's representatives. For this year, the company has budgeted a turnover higher by 37% compared to 2009, counting on attracting new customers.

Aerotrave Lufthansa company registered a 20% turnover decrease and forecasts a business increase this year.

Marshal Tourism registered EUR 20-21 mil. turnover in 2009, decreasing compared to the EUR 31 mil. in 2008. 80% of the agency's turnover is represented by airplane tickets sale, as well as by holidays packages abroad, wile packages in Romania account for 20%. Marshal Tourism forecasts a 10% turnover increase this year.

The most impacted activities in the current economic environment were the sale of airplane tickets and of holidays abroad, segments which contribute with over 50% to the turnover of the five tourism agencies, excepting Eximtur Cluj, focused on domestic tourism.

Sursa: Ziarul Financiar [18.02.2010]