Destination of the Year® 2026 Gala: the moment to recognize the destinations that inspire Romanian tourism
FIHR is a Partner of the Destination of the Year Gala – a national event that brings together representatives of local public administration, destination management organizations, tourism professionals and hospitality industry leaders. The Gala will be hosted by the Constanta Casino on May 14. Then we will find out which of the destinations currently in the running manage to transform public mobilization into the title of Destination of the Year® 2026.
Cities that inspire
The competition is one of the most balanced this year. Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Sighisoara, Suceava and Timisoara forms a top in which each city comes with a strong tourist identity and an active community behind it. After Sibiu won the title of Destination of the Year 2024, it remains to be seen whether the trophy will reach one of these cities this year or if there will be a spectacular reversal of the situation at the end of the vote, because Constanța or Craiova are not far behind either.
Spa resorts
Spa tourism is making a strong comeback among Romanians, and at this moment the battle is between Salt Baths Ocna Mureș, Borsec, Calimanesti-Căciulata, Slănic Moldova and Techirghiol. There are destinations with tradition, but also recent examples of revitalization through investment and modernization, which makes this category remain one of the most unpredictable until the end.
Tourist resorts – supported by parent
The tourist resort category brings to the fore established destinations such as Baile Felix, Borsa, Jurilovca, Rasnov, Sinaia and Vatra Dornei, each with a different profile — from classic mountain resorts to booming leisure centers. After constant presences in the rankings of previous editions for some of these destinations, it remains to be seen whether experience and notoriety will be decisive or whether the end will bring a surprise.
Enchanted Realms – supported by Aqua Carpatica
The category of tourist regions is once again one of the most spectacular. At the moment, the regions are leading Bran-Moieciu-Fundata, Danube Gorge, Dorne Land, Rarău Land and Transapuseana Land, territories that tell different stories about the nature and identity of Romania. After the success of the Danube Delta, designated Destination of the Year 2025, it remains to be seen which region will succeed in convincing the public this year.
Fairytale villages – supported by Entrepreneurial
Authenticity remains one of the strongest assets of Romanian tourism, and at the top of the ranking is Banpotoc, Bârsana, Răşinari, Saschiz and Viscri, villages that have become landmarks for cultural and experiential tourism. The category is one of the most sensitive to the mobilization of local communities, which can quickly change the hierarchy in the last days.
Urban centers – supported by Institute for Visionary Cities
Representative urban spaces enter into direct competition through Casino & Tourist Port Tomis in Constanta, Piața Mare in Sibiu, Piața Sfatului in Brașov, Piața Unirii in Oradea and Piața Unirii in Timișoara. They are symbolic places that define the identity of their cities and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Play and adrenaline
The category dedicated to active experiences and family tourism is one of the most dynamic, with destinations such as Arsenal Park, Ariniș Leisure Complex, Dinosaur World Transylvania, Durău Park and Magic Parc Râșnov in the front row. The popularity of this type of experience has grown steadily in recent years, and the competition remains open.
Sanctuaries of history
Some of Romania's most important historical landmarks compete in this category, where they rank among the top Mocioni Castle, Peleș Castle, Alba Iulia Citadel, Suceava Citadel and Sighișoara Citadel. It is a category in which the notoriety of the monuments plays an important role, but public mobilization can decisively influence the outcome.
The realm of knowledge
The interest in educational tourism and cultural experiences is reflected by the top presence of Dolphinarium in Constanta, Bucovina Museum, National Museum of the Union in Alba Iulia, Brukenthal National Museum in Sibiu and Antipa Museum in Bucharest. They are institutions that attract a large audience every year, including families and school groups. Who will manage to remain a leader in this category?
Natural treasures
The nature category remains one of the most watched in the competition, and is currently leading Nera Gorges, Lake Balea, Lake Ursu, Turda Salt Mine and the Danube River Confluence into the Black Sea, Sfântu Gheorghe. After the remarkable performances of the Danube Delta in recent editions, the fight for first place remains open until the last day.
Landmarks
In the category of architectural and cultural symbols, it is at the top The Constantin Brancusi Sculptural Ensemble, the Maria Theresa Bastion in Timisoara, the Black Church in Brasov, the Casino in Constanta and the "Baths Casino" Museum Center, Vatra Dornei, some of the most recognizable landmarks of Romanian heritage. Their national visibility makes this category one of the most sought-after.
About Destination of the Year® – A competition of national interest organized in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, the Alliance for Tourism, the National Union of County Councils of Romania, the Institute for Visionary Cities (IOV), the National Tourism Office of the Republic of Moldova, the National Association of Travel Agencies of Romania (ANAT), the Cred în România Association, the Federation of the Hotel Industry of Romania (FIHR), the Federation of Tourism Promotion Associations of Romania (FAPT), RoBoost, Antreprenorești, Re-Patriot, Urlaub in Rumânia, the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, the Romanian Ecotourism Association (AER), Eco-Romania, Constanța & Mamaia – Main Supporter of Romanian Tourist Resorts,
More details here.
