Romania’s tourism industry recorded its first post-pandemic decline in 2025, as domestic travel collapsed and foreign visitor growth proved insufficient to offset the losses, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Domestic tourist arrivals dropped by 4.2% in June, 4.4% in July, and 6.3% in August compared to 2024. Overnight stays by Romanians followed suit, falling by 1% in June, 5.3% in July, and 5.9% in August. Over the first eight months of 2025, domestic arrivals contracted by 2.9%.
While foreign tourist arrivals rose by 7.2% in June, 0.6% in July, and 7.1% in August, the gains were not enough to compensate for the domestic slump. Overnight stays by international visitors increased by 6.3% in June, 0.1% in July, and 5.2% in August, resulting in a 5% overall rise in foreign arrivals for the year to date.
Only two counties defy the downturn
INS data shows that only two counties posted growth in 2025: Sibiu, with a 10.81% increase, and Constanța, up 4.19%. The rest of the country experienced declines, with Prahova suffering the steepest drop at 20.5%. Other struggling regions include Harghita (-18.22%), Brașov (-11.91%), Mehedinți (-5.59%), Tulcea (-7.23%), and Maramureș (-7.98%).
