FEATURE: We visited the resorts in the Prahova Valley to find out why more tourists aren't coming to Romania, while Bulgaria is starting to resemble Spain at the beginning of its tourism boom

Saturday, Sep 27, 2025

Romanian tourism struggles to attract visitors compared to Europe’s over-touristed cities; local experiences are analyzed.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

While some major European cities are implementing measures to curb overtourism due to its impact on local life, Romania is focused on increasing visitor numbers as tourism declines. A report investigated tourist experiences at the Valea Prahovei stations, which attract most domestic visitors. At BuÈ™teni, tourists face high costs for excursions and accommodation; while microbuses are cheaper than cable cars, the latter offers a better view but risks traffic delays with buses. ATV rentals also show reduced business compared to previous years. In Sinaia, despite appearing lively, prices in restaurants rival those of Western Europe, and local businesses report slow summer sales. While some areas like Valea Doftanei see growth, overall visitor spending on non-essential items is reportedly low. Conversely, Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast is experiencing intense development without significant anti-tourism sentiment, though cities like Nesebar face UNESCO heritage risks, and Sofia struggles with vacant housing. Greece, despite record tourism numbers, faces overtourism issues in areas like Athens, leading the Ministry of Tourism to aim for a better balance by diversifying the tourist model throughout the year.


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