Romania leads EU in short-stay platform growth gap

Business Forum
Romania recorded the largest gap in the European Union between growth in platform-based overnight stays and overall tourist accommodation in the second quarter of 2026, according to an analysis by Destination Finder using Eurostat data.

Overnight stays booked through platforms such as Airbnb, Booking and Expedia rose by 11.39% in Romania during the period, while total tourist overnight stays fell by 6.70%. The resulting difference of 18.09 percentage points is the highest among all EU27 member states.

The figures point to a structural shift in how accommodation is being booked in Romania, with short-stay platforms capturing a growing share of demand even as the broader market contracts. Destination Finder's full analysis, including rankings, methodology and sources, is available at destination-finder.com.

RECOMMENDED
Hotel sector in Romania poised for growth going into 2026
Real estate

Hotel sector in Romania poised for growth going into 2026

Although the hotel sector accounted for only 3% of the total investment of €390 million in Romania's commercial real estate during H1 2025, market indicators point to a possible increase in investments in H2 2025 and 2026, according to CBRE Romania data.

Olala! acquires two hotels in Bucharest for €5 million
Real estate

Olala! acquires two hotels in Bucharest for €5 million

Olala! is strengthening its strategic expansion in the Romanian market with the acquisition of two hotels located in central Bucharest – Hotel Duke Romană and Hotel Duke Armenească – in a €5 million transaction.

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
Bucharest yields remain well above Western European levels
Real estate

Bucharest yields remain well above Western European levels

Bucharest is consolidating its position within the Central and Eastern European (CEE) real estate market, combining rental growth across major asset classes with investment yields that remain well above Western European levels, according to the DNA of Real Estate Europe Q2 2026 report published by Cushman & Wakefield. Across Europe in Q2 2026, prime office rents rose 4.5% year-on-year, retail rents increased 3.0%, and logistics rents grew 2.4%, while investors remained selective as yield movements pointed to a more balanced market following the repricing cycle of recent years.

Energy

Electrica secures grid permits for 700 MWh of storage

Energy company Electrica informs investors and the capital market that it has obtained the technical grid connection permits (ATR) for 17 new battery energy storage projects (BESS), with a total capacity of approximately 700 MWh.

Energy

Romanian grid operator to support peak power consumption during heatwave

Romania's national electricity transmission network operator, Transelectrica, has halted scheduled maintenance shutdowns to ensure the grid operates at maximum capacity during an ongoing extreme heatwave. The preventive measures aim to mitigate operational risks associated with severe weather conditions.