With a surface area of 238.391 square kilometers (92,043 Sq. miles), Romania is the largest country in South Eastern Europe and has the 7th largest population of the EU with over 20.000.000 people while the capital and biggest city is Bucharest, the 6th largest city in EU.

In terms of tourism, there are over 3.000 travel agents (however only approx. 3% IATA accredited). The online business accounts for less than 20% of tourism business due to local habits hence a large amount of the airline tickets is still sold through travel agents (including low-cost carriers).

There are 3 local GDSs with Amadeus leading the pack with over 60% of the business while Travelport (Galileo) and Sabre are disputing the rest after the WS exit which held 100% of the local GDS Market before 1997.

Most of the tourism activity it is done in large cities such Bucharest or Cluj while outgoing accounts for more than 80% of the travel business. There are 7-8 charter players that are offering some “traditional” destinations for many years such Antalya with flights from local 15 airports while some of them having daily flights or twice daily during high-season.

Also, Romanians are travelling by car all over Europe with big traffic towards Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia,  Germany, Slovakia, Moldova or Austria and moderate to the rest of the countries across Europe.

We can conclude that Romanian tourism market it is mostly an outgoing one despite a growing specific inbound traffic targeting the Transylvania region, the north part of the country with Bucovina & Maramures (known for traditional tours, gastro tours & painted monasteries) or the Danube Delta during summer.

Another incoming reason is the medical tourism which it is growing as well in 3 directions: dental, cosmetic surgery and artificial insemination.

Romanians are traveling more and more year by year especially after Romania has joined the EU hence no visa or passport (around Europe) needed for traveling Romanians. Also, every year there are few new airline companies entering Romania, therefore, new destinations around the world available every year most of them with direct flights.

Based on all of the above, Romania it is a market with great potential for both: incoming or outgoing tourism while being one of the largest market in the region.