“All the rooms of the hotel were booked as early as one month ago. We operate at full capacity on May 1, just like last year. Our clients come for parties, clubs,” said Razvan Dobre, marketing and sales manager with Vega hotel, which operates 125 rooms.
The special package for this mini-holiday cost 2,730 lei (EUR620) for a three-night stay in a double room and RON4,320 (EUR981) for an apartment with two meals. Vega hotel, with revenue of EUR4 million in 2012, is controlled by Gabriel Comanescu.
Mamaia is the seaside resort boasting the biggest number of 5-star hotels. Luxury units include Rex hotel, owned by Adamescu family and now closed for refurbishment, Arena Regia Hotel&Spa of Mamaia Nord, controlled by Mihai Manea and Nicolae Moga, and boutique hotels Club Scandinavia and California by Chevalet.
Adriana Dane, general manager of Palm Beach hotel of Mamaia, says all the 49 rooms were booked for the May 1 holiday. “We sold all the early booking-type packages for the summer holiday. A 5-night stay costs EUR500 for a double room with breakfast and lunch,” said Dane.
During the mini-holiday, Mamaia is set to host the highest number of events, with concerts, modern and vintage car parades being announced.
In the southern area of the seaside, where there are not so many clubs as in Mamaia, tourists did not rush to book rooms. “Half of the bookings we had were canceled because of bad weather. 30 rooms were booked (out of a total of 90 rooms i.e.),” said Gabriel Cazan, manager of Inter 5-star hotel of Venus owned by businessman Ioan Niculae. He invested EUR10 million in the luxury unit.
Between 20,000 and 30,000 tourists are expected to go to the seaside during the mini-holiday. Travel operators are likely to cash in EUR3 million overall taking into account an average budget of EUR100/person.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)