Romania is considered a “fantastic” partner for Germany in the field of tourism, and tourist exchanges between the two countries are continuously increasing

This was one of the conclusions presented on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Annual Press Conference of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), held in Bucharest.

Christian Plate, the business attaché of the German Embassy in Romania, emphasized that tourism is an essential vector of bilateral relations, going beyond the simple act of visiting destinations, representing a cultural exchange between people.

“Romania is a fantastic partner for us in tourism. There are so many Romanians who not only live permanently in Germany but also many who frequently travel to our country. Cultural events such as Oktoberfest attract more and more Romanian tourists. This is a symbol of the relationship between the two countries, showing the interaction between people, and that is what tourism is about: traveling to discover other places and people,” said the German official.

Focus on cultural and sustainable tourism

Christian Plate also pointed out the current trends in tourism, with the focus in 2025 being on cultural and sustainable tourism, trends reinforced in the post-pandemic context.

“It is difficult to talk about Romania, a fantastic country for tourism, and at the same time to promote Germany, another equally attractive destination. Germany has a lot to offer: not only castles but also a rich cultural heritage. Berlin is, of course, a fantastic city, but so is Museum Island, part of the UNESCO Heritage, representing an impressive museum landscape—a unique combination that makes Germany so special,” the attaché explained.

Germany, a leader in European and global tourism

The Director of the German National Tourist Board, Cristian Sallai, highlighted Germany’s strong position in the European and global tourism markets.

“Germany is the number one tourist destination for several European countries. When people want to travel abroad, Germany is the first option—even for Chinese tourists. When they come to Europe, Germany is their preferred destination,” said Sallai.

He also mentioned that Germany has climbed to 10th place in the global ranking of tourist destinations, up from 11th place, an achievement the organization is very proud of, especially as sustainable tourism is being increasingly promoted.

Positive statistics, but still below pre-pandemic levels

Statistics for 2024 show a total of over 85.24 million overnight stays by foreign tourists in Germany. In comparison, in 2019, before the pandemic, almost 90 million overnight stays were recorded.

“We have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, but the trend is positive. In the first year after the pandemic, we had an increase of nearly 19%, and last year an increase of 5.4%,” Cristian Sallai noted.

Romania, an important market for German tourism

A survey conducted in October 2024 on a sample of 1,000 respondents in Romania shows that last year Romanian tourists spent over 1.41 million nights in accommodation units in Germany, an increase of 2.1% compared to the previous year.

“Romanians continue to visit Germany, and it ranks third among their preferences, which is a very good result considering the strong competition in the summer and beach tourism segment,” the GNTB director stated.

In the first three months of 2025, the number of overnight stays by Romanian tourists in Germany exceeded 326,429, indicating a continuing growth trend.

The economic impact of bilateral Romania–Germany tourism

Opportunities for local economic development

The increasing number of Romanian tourists in Germany and vice versa is not only a sign of good cultural cooperation but also an important driver for the economic development of both countries. Tourist exchanges bring direct benefits to the accommodation, transportation, food, and entertainment sectors, as well as multiplier effects in the local economy.

According to experts, this tourism collaboration can generate investments in infrastructure and tourist services, as well as business opportunities for companies in the hospitality and experiential tourism sectors, both in Romania and Germany.

Growth potential in cultural and sustainable tourism

Romania, known for its cultural and natural heritage, can capitalize on this potential by promoting themed tourist packages focused on local culture, history, and ecotourism—areas gaining more ground in Germany, where demand for sustainable tourism is increasing.

In this regard, the exchange of best practices between the Romanian and German tourism industries can contribute to improving service quality and expanding the tourism offer. Such collaboration also benefits workforce employment in both countries and the development of competitive regional tourism brands at the European level.

Strengthening bilateral economic relations through tourism

Tourism also functions as an economic bridge, facilitating the expansion of trade and investment relations. In the medium and long term, the increasing tourist flow can stimulate interest in other economic sectors, including exports and services.

Moreover, this intensification of tourist mobility supports cooperation in the field of transportation and infrastructure—key elements for sustaining bilateral trade.

Conclusions and recommendations for the development of Romania–Germany tourism and economic cooperation

To fully harness the potential of bilateral tourism, it is essential for authorities and economic operators from Romania and Germany to collaborate strategically. Joint promotion of tourist destinations, investments in quality infrastructure, and support for sustainable tourism can decisively contribute to increasing tourist flows and strengthening economic relations.

Additionally, facilitating experience exchanges between tourism professionals, developing tourist offers tailored to the needs of identified market segments, and implementing effective communication campaigns that highlight the cultural and natural values of both countries are recommended.

At the same time, supporting policies that encourage tourist mobility—including by improving road and rail infrastructure—will have a positive impact not only on tourism but also on other interconnected economic sectors.

Thus, tourism becomes a catalyst for sustainable economic development, bringing tangible benefits to local communities and strengthening bilateral relations between Romania and Germany.