Moldova's hospitality thrives as tourism grows
While some Moldovans head abroad for their holidays, others are rediscovering the warmth of hospitality right at home. With the start of the summer season, tourist spots across the Republic of Moldova are becoming increasingly busy.
The workload in the hospitality sector is also significantly increasing as more and more visitors choose to spend their vacations within the country. Tourism specialists say that local destinations are becoming increasingly attractive for both domestic and international tourists.
At one guesthouse in Orheiul Vechi, all rooms are fully booked, similar to many other nearby guesthouses. During this period, guests come from both within the country and from abroad. Restaurants are also in high demand, which is why visitors are encouraged to make reservations well in advance.
"For weekends during the summer, 80% of our rooms are already reserved; we still have some availability during the weekdays. Accommodation for two people, including three meals, starts from 2,500 lei per day," states the guesthouse administrator, Oxana Benzing.
Orheiul Vechi is one of the most popular destinations for foreign tourists.
"We have many inquiries during this period because it's the beginning of summer, people are coming to relax, and we usually have more foreign guests: from Italy, Austria, Turkey," said Vitalina Rotari, a guesthouse employee.
"We came from Turkey. I live there now, and my friend wanted to see Moldova. We took advantage of this opportunity and came to Moldova for two or three days."
Another family also chose to spend their time at Orheiul Vechi, enjoying the tranquility of nature together.
"First, we went to the monastery, prayed for the whole family, then we came to have lunch at a restaurant. Today, even during the holy service, we noticed there was a larger flow of worshipers. They were coming and going, including foreigners."
In recent years, the number of tourists has significantly increased.
"Compared to the pre-pandemic situation in 2019, it has grown by over 25%. This is also due to the consolidation of businesses in this sector. With much higher demand, we're seeing new tourist locations emerge to offer visitors a special experience," stated Elena Stepanov, Director of the National Association for Inbound and Domestic Tourism.
Most foreign tourists who choose to visit the Republic of Moldova come from Italy, Spain, Greece, France, the United States, and Germany.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
