Romanian Tourism Rebounds to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Driven by Festivals and Returning Visitors

Romanian tourism has experienced a remarkable recovery, returning to pre-pandemic levels of 2019 and surpassing expectations in 2024, according to Social Democrat Senator Florin Jianu, former president of the Council of Small and Medium-sized Private Enterprises. Speaking at the launch of the fourth edition of Romania's White Paper on Tourism, Jianu highlighted the sector's growth and resilience, CE Report quotes Agerpres

"Tourism has not only recovered but continues to grow. In 2024, we saw a higher return rate of tourists to familiar destinations—75%, compared to 55-60% in previous years—and an increase in new tourists, reaching 70% this year compared to 65% in 2023," Jianu noted.

Festivals have played a crucial role in this success, with events like the Sibiu Theatre Festival and the Craiova Christmas Festival significantly boosting tourism and benefiting the hospitality sector.

The fourth edition of the White Paper on Tourism was launched in Bucharest, with key industry representatives, including Florin Jianu, Florin Duma, and Calin Cozma, sharing insights into the sector's progress and future potential.