The Republic of Moldova in 2018 was visited by 4.3 million foreigners, a rise of 11.7% compared with 2017. The data were presented by the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure in connection with the launch of the 24th international exhibition “Tourism. Leisure. Hotels” on February 7, IPN reports.

According to the data for the first nine months of 2018, over 337,000 tourists stays at tourist accommodation facilities, with over 117,000 of these being foreigners, up 10% compared with the corresponding period of 2017. In January –September 2018, the tourism agencies and tour operators provided tourism services to 277,000 tourists and excursionists, an increase of 19.6% on 2017.

Secretary general of state at the Ministry Iulia Costin, in the inaugurator of the exhibition, said Moldova during the past two years has become more visible at foreign level as a tourist destination and by its investment attractiveness. Moldova hosted some of the largest world events, such as the Meeting of the Regional Commission for Europe of the World Tourism Organization in 2017 and the Global Conference on Wine Tourism last year. Also, two agreements of cooperation in tourism with Romania and Georgia were signed in January 2019.

The exhibition “Tourism. Leisure. Hotels” is held at the Exhibitions Center “Moldexpo” during February 7-10.