Patterns in Romanian Tourism Activity—A Factorial Analysis

According to the data provided by the National Institute of Statistics, in Romania, in 2015, there were recorded almost ten million tourist arrivals in accommodation establishments, of which foreign tourist arrivals represented less than a quarter (22.55%). After 2000, tourist arrivals have registered an upward trend, interrupted only during the global economic and financial crisis in 2008–2009. Over 57% of foreign tourists arrivals in Romania in 2015 came from the European Union (mostly from Hungary and Bulgaria), and from Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. In 2014, only 5% of companies in Romania were operating in the hotel and restaurant industry, their turnover representing less than 1% of the total value. The average length of stay for Romanian tourists ranges between 2 days (at the mountain) and over 3 days (at the seaside). Foreign tourist arrivals are mostly concentrated in mountain areas, in Bucharest, and in other cities as well. This paper identifies and explores—using methods of descriptive statistics and factor analysis—patterns existing in relationships between different tourism statistical indicators (arrivals of Romanian tourists, arrivals of foreign tourists, overnight staying for Romanian and foreign tourists, tourism accommodation capacity, tourism accommodation establishments, favorite tourism destinations). Thus, there are analyzed the essential components and characteristics of the main types of tourism developed in Romania and some measures of economic and social policy are proposed, aiming at optimizing tourism activity in Romania.