site.btaRomanians Prefer Bulgaria, Greece and Turkiye for May 1 Holidays

As usual, many Romanians have chosen Bulgaria, Greece or Turkiye for their holidays around May 1, news outlets in the northern Balkan country report.

Droves of Romanians left for Bulgaria on the morning of April 30. Despite road repairs along the way and temporary traffic suspension across Danube Bridge between Giurgiu and Ruse, roughly 90% of the cars entering Bulgaria from the north between 9 AM and 10 AM were Romanian-registered, this correspondent saw.

In addition to its proximity, Bulgaria is a preferred destination because of its relatively low prices.

The price factor is one of the reasons for the ebb in tourists on the Romanian coast. Their number between May 1 and 4 is expected to be around 50,000, which is 25,000 fewer than two years ago, said Corina Martin, President of the RESTO Constanta Employers' Association, as quoted by the Agerpres news agency. Mamaia, Vama Veche and Eforie remain the most popular local beach resorts. Accommodation prices for a double room start from EUR 25 per night and can reach EUR 130 for three nights at a 3-star hotel and EUR 185 for three nights at a 4-star hotel.

In the port city of Constanta, three-night accommodation for one person can cost anywhere between EUR 110 and EUR 720. Hotel bookings have also been made for the Danube Delta, where accommodation prices are higher, with those for three nights (half board) starting from EUR 350.

Resort owner Octavian Moldovan told Agerpres: “During the Easter holidays, our bed occupancy surpassed 70%. We rely on Romanian tourists. We also receive foreigners, but they are usually independent tourists and are fewer due to the war in Ukraine.”

Between January and November 2024, Romanian tourists spent EUR 8.8 billion on holidays abroad, according to data from the National Bank of Romania. Bulgaria’s National Statistical Institute estimates that more than 2.2 million Romanian tourists visited Bulgaria in 2024.