Romanian tourists return to domestic holidays as July figures offer hope

Romania’s tourism figures for July offered a welcome sign after a difficult start to the summer. More foreign visitors arrived than a year earlier, while Romanian travelers also chose to spend their holidays at home.

The domestic tourist profile changed as households watched their spending more closely. According to an analysis by Bibi Touroperator, a member of Romania’s National Association of Travel Agencies, travelers compared offers more carefully, shortened their stays and turned more often to last-minute deals. Demand also increased for periods outside the peak season.

All-inclusive services gained ground in 2026, prompting the industry to expand its accommodation capacity in that segment. Packages including meals and other facilities were especially popular because they gave travelers greater control over their expenses. Some tourists paid more for recently modernized accommodation when the price included spa services and children’s activities. When budgets came under greater pressure, travelers generally cut the length of the stay rather than compromise on quality.

Tourist arrivals increased 6.2% in July from July 2025, following a weak June that had worried operators. International tourism showed the strongest growth, with foreign arrivals up more than 20%. Overnight stays rose 6.1% overall, including a 21.7% increase among foreign visitors.

Coastal bookings returned to growth in the second half of July, and estimates for August pointed to that improvement continuing. The recovery was uneven, however. The number of tourists on the coast increased, while the Danube Delta did not see the same trend. Destinations that adjusted prices or added experiences to standard packages recorded growth, while others declined.

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Coastal bookings returned to growth in the second half of July, and estimates for August indicate that the positive trend will continue.