Summer in Mamaia: a 300m-euro business

Mamaia, the most fashionable resort boasting the largest number of 5-star hotels and the most popular nightclubs on the Romanian seacoast, is expected to derive a 300m-euro business this summer, according to ZF estimates, based on data provided by the National Tourism Agency (Agentia Nationala de Turism-ANAT) and the National Statistics Office (Institutul National de Statistica-INS).
According to ANAT data, out of the 1.4 million Romanians who chose the Romanian seaside this year (calculated from the overall sales of travel packages sold by agencies), 35% opted for Mamaia, which translates as 500,000 Romanians.
According to INS data, the average length of a holiday at the seaside last year revolved around 5.4 nights of accommodation, whilst prices at 3 or 4-star hotels reached, on average, 250-300 euros for 5-6 nights.
A rough calculation reveals that in Mamaia, where the highest prices and best hotels are located, a tourist spends, on average, around 30 euros per day (1-1.1m RON), which translates as overall expenses worth 150-200 euros for a 5-6-day holiday, not including accommodation.
Therefore, a holidaymaker spends around 400-500 euros (1,500-1,800 RON) for a 5-6-night holiday in Mamaia, which means the total budget of a family revolves around 1,000 euros for a week. As a result, the 500,000 tourists that visit Mamaia through travel agencies spend 200-250m euros each season.
However, on top of this calculation are added weekend tourists, who come directly to the hotel, and expenses from tourists that stay in nearby Constanta. As a result, “business in Mamaia” can reach around 300m euros during a summer season.
Around 60 hotel units, with a capacity of above 3,000 rooms, and several restaurants and clubs are competing for holidaymakers’ money in Romania’s most luxurious seaside resort.
According to ANAT data, 1.4 million Romanians will head for seaside resorts this year, up 20% on last year. Receipts from the sale of seaside travel packages will amount to 350m euros this year. Tourists that buy tickets through agencies spend 700m euros at the seaside, however, if weekend travel and informal travel is included, the entire annual “Seaside” business can be put at 1bn euros.