Nearly 78,000 can be accommodated in Romanian seaside hotels, but only some of them find clients, with hotels now promoting “special” packages only for those who make reservations for at least three nights. These terms are clearly stated on the websites of travel agencies selling seaside holidays.
ZF called two major travel agencies, Marshal Turism and Eximtur, to reserve a two-night stay at a seaside hotel, but travel agencies said the reservation needs to be for at least three or even five nights in order to benefit from the prices displayed on the agency’s website. With more than 80% of seaside packages sold through travel agencies, it is quite difficult to find a special offer for two nights on the Romanian seaside.
“If you stay from Friday to Monday, you pay 460 lei (EUR108) per night, as part of a special package. If you only stay two nights, the special package price no longer applies, instead you pay RON525 per night,” says an agent handling reservations for the Europa hotel in Eforie Nord, held by businessman George Copos. This is also mentioned on the hotel group’s website.
The room fees for the summer season are also featured on the website of the Cometa hotel in the Jupiter resort. For the period June 16-30, the hotel promotes a fee of RON100 per night in double rooms, but mentions that if the reservation covers less than three nights, the price per night is up 10%.
Ana Maria Moanta, marketing manager of Marshal Turism travel agency, says each seaside hotel has a set of conditions when the agency contracts a number of rooms, which it then sells to clients, with hotel operators sometimes imposing the sale of at least three nights’ stays. Other hotels require an at least six nights’ stay.
The Romanian seaside has turned into a weekend destination over the last few years and hotel operators are now trying to ensure high occupancy rate during the week through special offers for at least three-night stays.