Romania’s hotel industry is enjoying a rare moment in the sun, with revenues up 19% in the first half of 2025, the third-highest increase in the European Union. But the gains are built on shaky ground: soaring room rates rather than a flood of new visitors.
The country’s hospitality turnover surged as average daily rates climbed 8%, bringing prices in line with regional hubs like Poland and the Czech Republic. In Bucharest, revenue per available room reached €78, nearly matching Warsaw and Prague, and just 10% below Vienna.
Yet the growth story has a catch. The number of overnight stays in hotels barely budged, rising less than 4%. Foreign tourists, a key revenue driver in neighboring markets, accounted for just 2.2 million overnight stays, far below Poland’s 7.2 million and Hungary’s 6.1 million.
A pipeline of new hotels
Romania’s hotel industry is betting on expansion to sustain its growth. At least 15 new hotels are set to open by 2027, including the Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard and the Bucharest Unirii Square – Handwritten Collection by Accor. These investments come as Bucharest’s occupancy rates hit their highest levels since the early 2000s.
Still, the country’s struggle to attract international visitors remains a glaring weakness. Over the past decade, overnight stays by foreign tourists grew by just 23%, compared with 44% in Poland and 26% in Hungary.
