King Charles has often urged Romanians to discover their country. "He helped us discover a part of sustainable tourism, ecotourism. Before that, in Romania we only talked about holiday tourism, focused on gastronomy and entertainment," he says. Calin Ile, honorary president of the Romanian Hotel Industry Federation (FIHR) and president of the Board of Directors of Aro Palace Brașov. "The results are coming, but at a slow pace. We will see the effects over a longer period of time, if we know how to take advantage of this niche of green tourism," the specialist specifies.
Directly involved in the niche of tourism in the middle of nature, through the business he owns in the Danube Delta, Dragos Anastasiu says, in turn, that "this is the tourism with which Romania can excel, which we need, which Romanians have rediscovered, and which foreigners appreciate."
The opening of the new airport in Brașov could bring, beyond the scandals of its debut, more tourists to Transylvania and well-being for everyone. "Its importance is obvious and I am convinced that, if it is well managed, it will manage to find its place," he says Calin Ile, from FIHR. "Already, as far as I understand, in July it is the fourth airport in the country in terms of traffic. It is a good sign and I know that there are four more airlines that want to enter there," says the hotelier optimistically. For Dragos Anastasiu"Always, where there is an airport, there is the premise that airlines will do something to keep their planes flying."
Despite all its problems, tourism in Romania will record record results this year. "If we were to compare with 2022, the figures are much better. The first half of the year broke through, with approximately 40% more for tourism. Of course, with the growth in the urban tourism area and the mountain tourism area, and with difficulties with the seaside, which is looking for its best positioning. But 2023 will be the best year of Romanian tourism since the Revolution," he is sure. Calin Ile, from FIHR. Dragos Anastasiu he is also disappointed with the "performance" of the seaside. "From what we see on TV, but also on site, Mamaia is not doing too well. Neither are other resorts. In the Delta we are struggling. But, overall, we are doing better."
According to the National Institute of Statistics, in 2019, the best year so far, the direct gross domestic product from tourism (GDP) was 31.5 billion lei (6.44 billion euros) or 2.981% of Romania's gross domestic product.
