Business Forum • 6 March, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Romania is preparing for a wave of new hotel openings in 2025-2026, solidifying its position as an attractive tourist destination in CEE, according to a report by Colliers.
Approximately 15 new hotels are expected to open their doors during this period, adding over 2,000 rooms to the existing stock.
The majority of these hotels will be operated under established international brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Accor. Additionally, new hotel chains like Ascott Hotels (The Crest Collection) and Corinthia will enter the Bucharest market with fresh projects.
Romania's accession to the Schengen Area in 2025 is expected to further boost tourist flow, contributing to the development of the hotel industry.
Investments in new hotels are not limited to Bucharest. Significant projects are also announced in other major cities across the country, including Poiana Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, and Iași. For example, in 2024, the first 5-star Swissotel in Poiana Brașov opened with 64 rooms and plans for expansion.
Raluca Buciuc, Director, Partner of Valuation360 and Advisory Services at Colliers, explains: "Romania is gradually aligning itself with more developed tourism markets, with a record number of over 25 million overnight stays in hotels in 2024, a 6% increase compared to the previous year. The growth was stronger among foreign tourists (+13%), while domestic tourism increased by 5%."
Colliers data also shows that the average daily rate (ADR) for premium hotels in Bucharest reached over €140 per night, a 21% increase in euro and 27% in lei versus 2019. Compared to last year, the ADR increased by 8%, positioning Bucharest above capitals such as Warsaw, Budapest, and Vienna in terms of dynamics.