ANAT: Mini-holiday sales in Romania up 38 pct this year

Newsroom 15/08/2018 | 14:18

Sales for Saint Mary mini holiday are up to 38 percent on the seaside and up to 25 percent for spa and mountain resorts, compared to 2017.

Most requests came in the last two weeks, following the announcement that August 16 and 17 are free for workers in the public sector, according to data submitted by the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT) on Wednesday.

The holiday vouchers have targeted 2 and 3-star hotels to fit their value/person, and those who paid the holiday in cash preferred three-star hotels. On the seaside, mini holiday sales are in line with the entire 2018 season, which ANAT member travel agencies announce over expectations due to the massive reservations made during the early booking period and, above all, the granting of holiday vouchers to public servants. Compared to last season, sales by travel agencies are higher by 18-20 percent.

In the early booking period, the demand was one third higher than last year, while holiday vouchers issued in the first six months of the year reached a value of EUR 148 million, five times higher than 2017.

This summer, tourists preferred Mamaia/Navodari, Eforie and Jupiter/Venus resorts at an average price of RON 1,920. Most requests were for hotels with children’s facilities, with pool, half board or all inclusive. The average length of stay is five days, similar to last season.

In the mountains and balneo resorts most requests were for stays of five nights, respectively seven nights. The five night packages on the Prahova Valley cost between RON 800 and RON 1,200 lei/double room in a 3-star hotel with breakfast included, and in spa resorts the cost was between RON 1,600 and RON 2,100 for five nights accommodation in double room, 3-star hotel with half board and treatment.