News about Tourism
Prime Minister Vasile Tofan is outraged by the bureaucracy and the overwhelming number of requirements imposed on entrepreneurs, and believes that the government must radically simplify procedures. As an example, he cited the field of dentistry, where, he said, obtaining accreditation for a dental office requires fulfilling dozens of pages of requirements, including even obtaining a priest’s blessing.
Moldova plans to establish a registration system for short-term rental properties listed on online platforms. Each property—whether an apartment, a house, or a single room—will be assigned a unique code, which platforms will be required to include when posting listings.
Thirteen museums and cultural sites from 10 regions of Moldova will take part in the fourth edition of the international initiative “Museum Night in the Village” on August 29. Together with more than 160 museums and cultural heritage sites in Romania, they will introduce visitors to the traditions, crafts, cuisine, and history of rural communities.
The prime minister and his son took part in a 6.5-kilometer swim across the Bosphorus.
The first six months of the year confirm the positive growth trend in Moldova’s tourism sector. From January through June 2026, lodging facilities hosted 257,300 tourists, which is 15.8% more than during the same period last year.
It has been proposed to simplify the requirements and inspection procedures for small agritourism guesthouses. This issue was discussed by participants at a meeting of the Economic Council’s Working Group on standards, food safety, and compliance in the agritourism sector.
The solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, is already affecting tourism demand. The British airline easyJet reports a 70% increase in bookings for destinations located along the path of totality. The list of the most popular routes includes Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Gibraltar, and Egypt.
One of the world’s most unusual collections—17,000 horseshoes—was unveiled in Moldova.
The Palace of the Republic has published a report on the monitoring of government procurement for the first half of 2026. The document lists 24 contracts totaling approximately 3.17 million lei.
From January through June 2026, the number of visitors to our country through travel agencies and tour operators totaled 230,100. This is 0.8% more than in January–June 2025.
The total solar eclipse is turning European hotels into a hotbed of price hikes: in some popular destinations, hotel room rates have more than doubled compared to last year. In Spain, where hundreds of thousands of tourists are preparing to arrive to witness this rare celestial event, hotels are already seeing a sharp rise in demand, while authorities are simultaneously preparing for record traffic on the roads and an increased risk of wildfires.
Mogren Beach in Budva, Montenegro, took first place in the ranking of European beaches for the summer of 2026, ahead of popular resorts in Greece, Spain, and Italy. The ranking was compiled by the British company Quotezone, which compared ten beaches based on water and air temperatures, tourist reviews, the cost of accommodation and beer, and distance from the nearest airport.
The winner of the national qualifying competition will earn the right to compete for the prestigious title of “European Capital of Culture 2033.” Any city in the country capable of presenting a high-quality and realistic cultural development strategy may participate in the competition. The criteria for evaluating candidate cities have been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Former prisons in various countries are being converted into hotels, museums, and cultural centers. Instead of being demolished, these historic buildings are preserved and repurposed for new functions, allowing these former places of confinement to become part of the tourism and cultural infrastructure.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup set a record not only for soccer but also for the short-term rental market. Over the 39 days of the tournament, owners of apartments and homes in the 16 host cities earned $1.33 billion in revenue—$276.7 million, or 26%, more than during the same period last year. This is according to data from the analytics company AirDNA.
The “Vacation Vouchers” program has officially launched in Moldova, allowing employers to provide their employees with discounted vouchers for vacations at tourist destinations throughout the country. The maximum value of a voucher in 2026 is 8,700 lei—up to 50% of the national average monthly wage.
Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan announced that he does not believe in the country’s industrialization and even expects the automotive parts manufacturing sector—which accounts for one-fifth of Moldova’s exports—to fail.
The Republic of Moldova’s development strategy is, in essence, “predetermined,” according to Prime Minister Vasile Tofan. He said that the country’s limited domestic market does not leave it with many options.
This fall, a new regional project called “Treasures of the East” will launch, dedicated to promoting the wines, cuisine, and tourist destinations of Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria. The initiative aims to bring together producers from the three countries and provide them with a common platform for promotion in international markets.
The Dniester River promenade in the Vadul-lui-Vodă recreation area is becoming increasingly popular. Residents of the capital and tourists can enjoy the Summer Theater, walking paths for fresh-air strolls, sports areas, family-friendly recreation spots, and children’s playgrounds.
