Bookings for Christmas stays are already on the rise compared to last year, and the average price starts at 160 euros, according to data from a hotel booking platform, sent to AGERPRES on Monday.

The first Christmas fairs have already opened this year, in Craiova and Sibiu, on November 14, and in the coming weeks, fairs are expected to open in Cluj-Napoca, Alba Iulia, Timisoara, Bucharest, Oradea, Brasov and Iasi, each city offering a unique experience, from concerts and shows to traditional dishes and artisanal gifts. The holiday atmosphere is complemented everywhere by festive lighting and seasonal decorations, inviting tourists to enjoy the magic of Christmas for several weeks.

'The 2025 Christmas fair season is set to be full of color and festive events, with high interest in big cities that combine the festive atmosphere with cultural and gastronomic activities. Travelminit data shows that reservations are already increasing compared to last year, and tourists are planning their visits so as not to miss the magic of the fairs. Christmas fairs in Romania begin to open in the second half of November, marking the start of the festive season. (...) Brasov, Sibiu and Bucharest are at the top of tourists' preferences, followed by Craiova, Oradea and Cluj-Napoca, all cities hosting spectacular fairs that attract millions of visitors annually,' the platform said in a release.

According to the cited source, the average value of a reservation for the Christmas fair period varies between 160 and 225 euros per stay, depending on the city and the type of unit. Brasov stands out with an average of 226 euros, being one of the most sought-after destinations in the country, while Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca are located at approximately 160-165 euros.

In Bucharest, the average is 185 euros, the city benefiting from a varied offer thanks to the three fairs held simultaneously: Constitution Square, Drumul Taberei Park and Hala Laminor.

In Iasi, the average value of reservations is 206 euros, while in Craiova and Oradea the rates are around 165 euros.

'In general, prices reflect the high interest of Romanians for such experiences during the winter holidays. Hotels remain the main choice of tourists, but there is an increase in demand for apartments and guesthouses, especially in Sibiu, Timisoara and Oradea. Stays generally last two or three nights, perfect for festive getaways,' the press release states.

Brasov is in first place in the booking ranking, followed by Sibiu and Craiova. The top are also Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Timisoara and Iasi, all cities being animated by holiday lights, thematic fairs and events that bring visitors to the city centers every weekend.

Tourists also choose to organize their stays according to the city and the number of fairs they intend to visit. In Bucharest, many choose to spend a few nights in order to explore all the fairs and festive attractions. In contrast, Brasov and Iasi are suitable for shorter getaways, with an average stay of 2 nights.

Founded in Cluj-Napoca, Travelminit has been one of the biggest players in the Romanian hotel booking market since 2017. The Travelminit portfolio contains over 10,000 accommodation units (hotels, guesthouses, apartments) in Romania active on the platform and application and covers a wide range of accommodation throughout the country (coast, mountains, spa destinations and large cities), being the leader in the holiday card booking market.

Since 2020 Travelminit has been part of the Szallas Group, which has 12 hotel platforms in Central and Eastern Europe (Romania, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Croatia) in its portfolio, with sales of over 200 million euros and over 500 employees.

In 2022, Szallas Group (including Travelminit) was acquired by Wirtualna Polska Holding, one of the leading e-commerce and media companies in Poland, listed on the stock exchange and headquartered in Warsaw. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Tilica; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)