Mircea Draghici

Real Estate Regional Hubs – photo 3

Despite falling tourist number in 2025, the hotel development pipeline remains robust
Despite falling tourist number in 2025, the hotel development pipeline remains robust 1620 1080 ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB
Real Estate Regional Hubs – photo 3

Brașov is increasingly positioning itself as a major hub of attraction, driven by its unique blend of economic development, tourism opportunities, and high quality of life. The destination benefits from upgraded infrastructure, easy access to major cities, and a landscape that harmoniously blends history with natural beauty. Beyond ranking among the top three national destinations, Brașov has been a constant fixture in major international travel guides over recent years.

  • National Geographic – “Best of the World 2025”: Brașov was included in this exclusive list of the 25 must-visit destinations for 2025. The publication described it as the “gateway to Transylvania,” praising its mix of medieval history, ancient forests, and the accessibility provided by the new international airport.

  • CNN Travel – Top Destinations for 2025: CNN included Romania in its recommended travel list for 2025, calling Brașov a central pillar of the “Transylvanian experience.” American journalists presented it as an authentic and less crowded alternative to Western Europe’s classic destinations.

Accommodation Capacity on the Rise

Currently, hotel capacity within the municipality of Brașov recorded a 4.7% increase in 2025 compared to 2024, expanding from 47 hotels (2,427 rooms) to 50 hotels (2,542 rooms). The most substantial growth in 2025 versus 2024—a striking 21.4%—was reported in the short-term rental apartments and units category, which surged from 2,081 units in 2024 to 2,527 units in 2025. This data is based on figures from the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship & Tourism, analyzed by Est Hospitality.

HOTEL CAPACITY IN THE CITY OF BRAȘOV

Accommodation Type 2024 2025 2025 vs 2024 (%)

1-5 Star Hotel Rooms

2,427

2,542

4.70%

Short-Term Rental Apartments

2,081

2,527

21.40%

A Temporary Cooldown in Tourist Traffic

When it comes to tourist numbers, the 2025 figures indicate a decline compared to both the previous year and the pre-pandemic benchmark. In 2025, the county ranked 3rd nationally, attracting nearly 1.39 million visitors and registering 2.62 million overnight stays. A solid performance in the first half of the year was followed by a slight deceleration in the second semester—a trend observed across the entire mountain region.

In 2025, tourist arrivals and overnight stays remained below 2019 levels and lower than in 2024. Compared to 2024, the hotel market experienced a contraction of approximately 4%. Conversely, arrivals and overnight stays in short-term rental apartments remained relatively stable in 2025 compared to 2024.

TOURISM IN THE CITY OF BRAȘOV

Metric 2019 2024 2025 2025 vs 2019 2025 vs 2024

Hotel Arrivals

517,641

489,529

470,637

-9.10%

-3.90%

Rental Apartment Arrivals

N/A

116,794

114,954

—

-1.60%

Hotel Overnight Stays

1,002,192

900,733

868,730

—

-3.60%

Rental Apartment Overnight Stays

N/A

211,790

215,011

Source: Est Hospitality based on NIS (National Institute of Statistics) data

International Brands Bet Heavily on the Pipeline

Interest from international hotel chains remains exceptionally high. The most anticipated entries are in the ultra-luxury 5-star segment: Hyatt (rebranding the former ARO Palace) and Kempinski, which is debuting with a brand-new development in Poiana Brașov.

HOTEL DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE (2026-2028)

Property Rating Keys / Rooms Operator Estimated Opening

Hilton Garden Inn

4*

130

Hilton

2026

Radisson Blu Grand Mountain Resort Cristian

5*

46 villas & 20 rooms

Radisson

2026

Ibis Styles

3*

126

Accor

2027

Mercure Brașov Center

4*

180

Accor

2027

Hyatt Regency

5*

189

Hyatt

2028

Kempinski Poiana Brașov

5*

120

Kempinski

2028

TOTAL

811

Source: Est Hospitality

Industry Insight

“This year will mark the opening of the 4-star Hilton Garden Inn, which represents only the third hotel affiliated with an international chain in the city. Brașov will also welcome its first internationally branded 3-star hotel in 2027. Concurrently, in 2026, the number of short-term rental apartments is projected to surpass Brașov’s total hotel capacity.”

— Mircea Drăghici, Managing Partner, Est Hospitality

Radisson Tm

New Radisson Hotel in Timisoara
New Radisson Hotel in Timisoara 1920 1080 ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB
Radisson Tm

Radisson Hotel Group has signed Galaxy Hotel Timișoara, a member of Radisson Individuals. The new-build property is set to open in Q1 2026 and marks the debut of the Radisson Individuals brand in Romania.

Galaxy Hotel Timișoara, a member of Radisson Individuals will offer 48 rooms and apartments, including three premium apartments designed for extended stays. The hotel will feature a lobby bar with outdoor terrace, an all-day dining restaurant, and meeting facilities comprising a boardroom, a larger event space, and a pre-function area. Guests will benefit from exterior parking and excellent connectivity, just 20 minutes from Timișoara Airport and 7 minutes from the main railway station, while enjoying a prime location in the city’s central Cetate district.

“We are committed to elevating the hospitality offering in Timișoara, and partnering with Radisson Hotel Group enables us to deliver an international standard of quality and service. Radisson Individuals is the perfect fit for our vision, offering both brand prestige and the flexibility we value. We’re proud to introduce this brand to Romania and confident that Galaxy Hotel Timișoara will become a top choice for both business and leisure travelers,” says Lucian Popa, owner of the hotel.

“Timișoara is a dynamic and fast-growing destination that continues to attract both local and international travellers. We are confident that the Radisson Individuals brand will not only elevate the city’s profile but also contribute to the overall development of its hospitality market. This partnership represents a strong step forward in positioning Timișoara as a key location for quality tourism and business travel,” said Mircea Drăghici, CEO of EST Hospitality and project consultant overseeing operator selection.

1.5 Million tourists speed up Brașov’s touristic infrastructure development
1.5 Million tourists speed up Brașov’s touristic infrastructure development 1621 1080 ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB
Matca Hotel Relais & ChâTeaux, ȘImon

1.5 mln tourists were registered in Brasov county in 2024, 3rd destination nationwide, following Bucharest – 1.9 million and Constanta – 1.7 million (hotels & short-term rentals), according to National Statistics Institute. Overnight stays in both hotels and apartments recorded 2.8 million people, third value nationwide, following Constanța -5.5 million and Bucharest -3.9 million.

As Brasov is gaining a lot of attention as a touristic destination, making it on the recommendation list of publications such as National Geographic or Vogue, international hotel brands are targeting this city. Over 700 branded hotel rooms are expected to be inaugurated in 2025. In total, the county has 128 hotels with 5,871 rooms.

The information for Brasov, gathered by RPC from Est Hospitality, a tourism consultancy company, shows that:

  • Tourist arrivals and overnights in hotels are still below levels of 2019.
  • 19% notable increase of overnights in apartments – competition is getting serious for hotels.
  • Growing trend is expected to continue in the coming years due to the pipeline of new branded hotels, the number of festivals and the increased number of MICE events.
Mircea Draghici

Mircea Draghici, Managing Partner, Est Hospitality: “2025 is a key year for Brasov with five new branded hotels following to open and bring an offer of 727 rooms on the market. Those inaugurations are expected to also boost the number of foreign tourists looking for standardized hotel services.”

Start Typing