The figures from the National Institute of Statistics contradict the Minister of Economy who announced that tourism "was at its highest levels" . The INS announces a MINUS of 44,7% in overnight stays in July, the first month of the peak season.
Early this morning, I read on tomisnews.ro how the tourism sector has been struggling this year marked by the coronavirus pandemic. I see that the article includes the following statement by the Minister of Economy, Energy and Business Environment, Virgil Popescu.
" I tell you that this summer I think that domestic tourism was at its highest levels. On the coast it is absolutely full, in the mountains it is full, in the north of Moldova it is full, in Maramures it is full, in the Danube Gorge you cannot find a place to book even in September. I think that many Romanian tourists preferred, for safety reasons and probably for health reasons, to spend their holidays in Romania . That is why I think that during this summer period we cannot talk about big losses in tourism. Obviously if we add up the total, we end up at a loss, but a very large part of the loss was recovered during the summer period. I am waiting with great interest for the communication of the statistics for August so that we can see exactly where we will stand. I believe that domestic tourism during this summer period, probably July, August and I think September as well, will have higher revenues than in the similar period last year ," the minister explained during a television show.
Political statements vs. dry and cold figures from the National Institute of Statistics
A few minutes later, the press release from the National Institute of Statistics for July comes out, specifically for the tourism sector in Romania . The first lines sent by the statisticians look something like this:
Tourism in July 2020
- In July 2020, compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, arrivals in tourist reception structures with accommodation functions decreased by 44,4%, and overnight stays by 44,7%.
- Compared to July 2019, in July 2020, at the border points, the arrivals of foreign visitors decreased by 69,0%, and the departures of Romanian visitors abroad by 63,8%.
In other words, a minus all the way, as all of us who have any idea about the tourism sector in Romania knew. The months of May and June were the weakest in the history of Romanian tourism due to the coronavirus pandemic. On the one hand, tourists were afraid to travel, on the other hand, hoteliers did not know how to open accommodation units to meet sanitary safety conditions. Only in July, the beaches were crowded, the hotels were operating at 80-90% capacity.
Let's go further into the dry and cold numbers from the INS.
Arrivals recorded in tourist reception structures in July 2020 amounted to 917,8 thousand, down 44,4% compared to July 2019. Of the total number of arrivals, in July 2020, arrivals of Romanian tourists in tourist reception structures with accommodation functions represented 96,7%, while foreign tourists represented 3,3%.
Regarding the arrivals of foreign tourists in the tourist reception structures, the largest share was held by those from Europe (88,7% of the total foreign tourists), the great majority being from the countries belonging to the European Union.
Overnight stays recorded in tourist reception structures in July 2020 amounted to 2436,5 thousand, down 44,7% compared to July 2019. Of the total number of overnight stays, in July 2020, overnight stays by Romanian tourists in tourist reception structures with accommodation functions represented 97,3%, while overnight stays by foreign tourists represented 2,7%. Regarding overnight stays by foreign tourists in tourist reception structures, the largest share was held by those from Europe (88,1% of total foreign tourists), the vast majority being from countries belonging to the European Union.
Perhaps you will tell me that most tourists stayed in non-accredited accommodation units and therefore do not appear in the statistics. I don't think so, especially in the year when the coronavirus pandemic made us all more attentive to our health and the accommodation we choose.
PS. Next week, the official figures provided by seaside hoteliers for the 2020 season will also come. I recommend that the Minister of Economy prepare another statement now, especially since the hoteliers' figures show a two-digit minus, and the first is 3.
