|
IN BRIEF
|
Tourism in Mamaia, one of the most renowned seaside resorts on the Black Sea, is going through a worrying decline. Once bustling with crowds of travelers coming to enjoy its beaches and facilities, the resort is now facing a marked drop in bookings. The causes include the reduction of holiday vouchers, soaring prices, and various economic difficulties. This phenomenon, which is part of a broader trend in the European tourism sector, particularly affects local establishments and profoundly changes the face of Mamaia.
A plummeting attendance
According to the latest data from Eurostat, only 26.6% of Romanian citizens were able to afford a week of vacation last year, a figure among the lowest in Europe. This collapse in purchasing power directly impacts attendance in Mamaia, which was once full of summer activity. Today, the resort is transforming into an almost deserted landscape, marked by entire rows of unoccupied sun loungers. This disaffection is particularly visible when comparing hotel revenues from one year to another, with a decrease estimated between 30% and 35% compared to last year, as noted by many professionals in the sector.
The reasons behind the disaffection
Several factors explain the decrease in the number of vacationers in Mamaia. The war in Ukraine, which affects the region, growing economic concerns, but primarily the 50% reduction in the value of holiday vouchers distributed by the Romanian state. These aids, essential for many households, allowed them to finance all or part of a seaside stay. This year, only 9 million euros of these vouchers have been sold compared to 95 million euros in May 2024. This sudden drop in demand directly impacts two and three-star hotels, the main beneficiaries of this aid scheme.
Consequences for local players
Hoteliers in Mamaia are particularly affected. According to numerous testimonies collected in the region, the majority of bookings now concern only short stays – two or three days instead of the full week that was once the norm. All-inclusive stays, though attractive, are struggling to convince in light of the need to save money. “Fewer tourists are coming, and stays are shorter,” explains a local hotelier. Room prices, including breakfast and sunbed, range between 69 and 79 euros per night, and all-inclusive packages can reach up to 168 euros. Prices that now seem high for the majority of Romanian vacationers.
The increase in prices, an additional obstacle
In addition to this decrease in aids, there is a general increase in prices. The cost of living on site, from accommodation to dining, has significantly risen over the past two years. Many tourists feel that “it’s very expensive compared to previous years,” whether for a simple bottle of water or a pint of beer, a summer vacation staple. In this situation, last-minute bookings and short stays, often concentrated on weekends, have become the norm.
A situation reflective of European tourism
The case of Mamaia more broadly reflects certain trends observed elsewhere in Europe, where the tourism sector is undergoing profound transformations due to economic, geopolitical, or health crises. Similar phenomena are affecting other destinations, as discussed in analyses on the rise or decline of tourism in Spain, the impact of American policy on tourism, or even the evolution of attendance at Yellowstone. In Romania, this crisis impacts a whole part of the economy and disrupts summer habits.
An uncertain future for Mamaia
As bookings now concentrate on weekends, tourism professionals in Mamaia are worried about the rest of the season. Despite efforts to attract customers through special offers and quick adaptations of services, the attractiveness of the resort seems seriously compromised. The situation, complex and multifaceted, is part of a European context where several destinations are rethinking their tourism model, reminiscent of the recent suspension of visits to the Paris tourist office or re-evaluations of international travel.
