Turkey, Ukraine and Bulgaria remain the most popular destinations Moldovans ask for this summer. At the same time, most of the tourists visiting Moldova come from the same countries, followed by Romania and the USA. The president of the Tourism Agencies National Associations (TANA), Nicolae Platon, has told Info-Prim Neo that 13,600 Moldovan tourists have left this summer for Antalya, Turkey. Some 7,000 went to Ukraine, and 5,500 chose Bulgaria . According to Nicolae Platon, Romania is also chosen by Moldovan tourists. But as it is difficult to get visas, the number of people wanting to go to Romania is sinking. Only 1,800 people went to spend their vacation in Romania so far this summer. The number of tourists coming to Moldova is much smaller than the number of the leaving Moldovans, at a ratio of 1 to 6. Nicolae Platon explains the difference by the high prices of tourism-related services in Moldova, compared to other countries in the region. A 5-star hotel, according to the ultra all inclusive rating (transport, meals, accommodation, insurance) in Turkey is 80 euros/day, while, in Moldova, a 4-star hotel, including breakfast, is 180 euros/day. Another reason is the high prices of air tickets, the manager of the tourism agency “Incom-Tur”, Olga Moldovan, has told Info-Prim Neo . In the opinion of the deputy manager of “Casa vinului” agency, Elena Lazar, the cheapest tourism destination is Ukraine. The prices differ depending on the area. For example, in Zatoka, Odesa and Koblevo, a 7-day stay, including three meals a day, is $160-180. The vacation is more expensive in Crimea , going past 200 euros a week, including the travel expenses, she says. According to an official of “Echipa-99” agency, Alexandra Stoler, the Moldovans pay some 250 euros a week for a 1-week stay in Romania and Bulgaria. Although Turkey is the most expensive – some 500 euros a week – most of the Moldovans go for it. According to an opinion poll made by Business Expert, 84.3% of the Moldovan tourism agencies promote Turkey as a basic direction, while 46% of respondents sell tickets for Bulgaria, and 28.1% – for Egypt. The tour operators pay special attention to exotic destinations. This year, the preferred ones are Japan, China , Thailand, Singapore. Other Moldovans prefer Spain (21.87%), Greece (18.75%), Croatia (18.75%), France (15.62%), Italy (15.62%) and Portugal (15.62%), except from Romania and Bulgaria. According to the National Statistics Bureau, in 2007, Turkey was the most popular destination (31.2% of the Moldovans tourists having gone abroad), followed by Ukraine (21.2%), Romania (18.7%), Bulgaria (16.0%). The Moldovan tourists visited over 40 countries, as 81,800 appealed to tourism operators, by 20.6% more in 2006.