Top Source Countries For Tourists To Romania

Romania has experienced a positive growth in tourism in the last two decades since the fall of communism. A hidden gem within Europe, the country is home to a rich and diverse culture which dates back hundreds of years. From the fascinating natural reserve biosphere of the Danube Delta to the great Carpathian Mountains and the active beach resorts on the shores of Black Sea, Romania has a lot to offer its visitors.

What Makes Romania A Preferred Destination?

Romania is located in the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It is characterized by natural beauty, diversity and a rich cultural heritage. Tourists flock to see its scenic mountainous landscapes and historic city centers. Romania has undergone significant development in the last decade, including joining the European Union in 2007. Romania is a country of great contrasts with some cities exhibiting a truly modern, Western European culture while some villages appear to have stood still in time. The country is considered unique due to its vibrant Latin heritage, although it does share some cultural similarities with the nearby Balkan States.

Tourism Statistics Of Romania

Tourism forms an important component of the Romanian economy. Romania receives thousands of tourists every year from across the world. The total number of international tourists arriving in 2016 was 2,471,412, up from 2.2 million in 2015. The number of foreign tourist arrivals has been on an upward trend since 2012 with the number expected to grow to over 3.5 million arrivals by 2020. Other countries in Europe were the major source of foreign tourists who visited Romania in 2016. Germany was the top source country for international tourists with over 280,000 visitors. Italy, France, and the UK also remain as top source countries accounting for 230,000, 145,000, and 140,000 arrivals respectively. Most of the foreign arrivals from Asia came from Israel which was also Romania’s second top most source of foreign visitors. Other top sources of international tourists included Hungary, the US, Poland, Spain, and Bulgaria.

Popular Sites And Activities By Tourists In Romania

While almost all the tourist attraction sites in Romania were visited by at least one foreign tourist, some sites received thousands of visitors every month. Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s castle, is the most popular site in the country by the number of tourists. The site received over 600,000 visitors in 2016. Peles Castle in Carpathian Mountain was visited by over 420,000 visitors while Rasnov Citadel in Brasov County received 363,000. Other popular sites included Antipa Museum of Bucharest (350,000), Village Museum (210,000), and the Black Church in Brasov. Some of the popular tourist activities include skiing in Prahova Valley, swimming at the Black Sea resort, hiking in the Carpathian Mountain, and touring the cultural cities of Bucharest and Oradea.