Romania's hotel industry posts third-highest EU growth

Business Forum
Romania's hospitality industry recorded a 19% increase in turnover in the first half of 2025, the third largest advance in the European Union after Greece (35%) and Hungary (22%), according to Eurostat data cited by Colliers. Rising room rates have pushed local pricing into line with established CEE markets such as Poland and the Czech Republic, even though the number of overnight stays in hotels almost stagnated, with an increase of less than 4%.

Romania attracted just 2.2 million overnight stays by foreign tourists, compared with 7.2 million in Poland and 6.1 million in Hungary, though the market is preparing for at least 15 new hotel openings by 2027. Occupancy in Romania rose by 4 percentage points to 65%, in line with the average across Central and Eastern European countries. Average daily rates also increased by 8% in the last year, comparable to Poland and the Czech Republic, where levels range between €55 and €65.

In Bucharest, revenue per available room reached €78, similar to Warsaw and Prague at around €80, and just 10% below Vienna. The industry's rapid growth raises questions about sustainability, as the advance has been driven primarily by price increases rather than higher tourist numbers. "Compared with 2019, the net turnover of all operators in Romania's hospitality sector is over 80% higher – more than twice the EU average growth of just 34%," says Raluca Buciuc, Director, Partner of Valuation360 and Advisory Services at Colliers.

Romania still lags behind neighbouring markets in attracting foreign visitors. Over the past decade, the number of overnight stays by international tourists has increased by just 23%, compared with 44% in Poland and 26% in Hungary. In 2025, only 22% of overnight stays in Romanian hotels were by foreign visitors - the second lowest share in the European Union.

After only one major international opening in 2024 - the Ramada by Wyndham in Otopeni with more than 110 rooms, at least 15 new hotels are scheduled between 2025 and 2027. These include the Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard, which opened this year with approximately 30 rooms, and the Bucharest Unirii Square - Handwritten Collection by Accor, which added 90 rooms to the Bucharest market.

RECOMMENDED
Lululemon plans expansion in Eastern Europe
Real estate

Lululemon plans expansion in Eastern Europe

Lululemon announced plans to expand into six new markets in 2026 through franchise partnerships. The athletic apparel brand will launch in Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Romania through a partnership with Arion Retail Group, as well as in India through Tata CLiQ.

CEE property markets set for growth in 2026 amid supply gaps and modernization
Real estate

CEE property markets set for growth in 2026 amid supply gaps and modernization

Colliers has published a new report focusing on CEE, examining economic and real estate trends across Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The study shows that 2025 brought moderate economic recovery, easing inflation and rising focus on sustainability, while real estate markets were shaped by modernization, limited new office supply, strong logistics demand and retail park expansion.

CEE real estate investment surges 38% on nine months
Real estate

CEE real estate investment surges 38% on nine months

Confidence is returning across CEE real estate markets, with investor sentiment shifting from cautious optimism to execution, according to Colliers. The region continues to demonstrate resilience, supported by moderating inflation, solid household consumption, and strong employment levels.

CEE real estate investment surges 38% by Q3 2025
Real estate

CEE real estate investment surges 38% by Q3 2025

CEE recorded a 38% increase in real estate investments in the first three quarters of 2025, reaching over €7 billion across six major markets, according to Colliers' latest report.

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
READ MORE
Business Forum  |  9 January, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Business Forum  |  9 January, 2026 at 3:53 PM