Even if Romania opens the beaches on June 1, the Moldovan tourists will have to wait until July to get to the Romanian seaside as the Romanian side allowed domestic tourism only, said representatives of travel agencies.
Contacted by IPN for details, Irina Rotaru, director of the travel agency “Enjoy Travel”, noted that there are no clear travel protocols in different countries, including Romania. The trips by plane and buses to such destinations as Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro were allowed, but Moldova is not on the list. “Romania opened the beaches for its tourists only,” she stated. All the vacations planned for this period in Romania were rescheduled. All the trips, to all the destinations were rescheduled after July 1. She said that she requested Moldova’s embassies in a number of countries to provide clear answers as to the travel requirements in each country. On July 1, the Moldovans could be allowed to enter Turkey, on June 20 – Bulgaria, on June 15 -Greece, by own transport.
Ion Curmei, director of “Panda Tur” agency, stated for IPN that all the trips to Romania were planned for the period after July 1, but he possesses information that the neighboring country could allow tourism for Moldovan citizens as of June 15. He assured that those who paid beforehand for vacations scheduled for June will reach the seaside, but in another period. They will work individually on this aspect in each case apart.
Elena Avram, manager of the Tourism Department of Voiaj International, said the company is waiting for offers from hotels, is analyzing the price policy and rules that will have to be respected in the period after the lifting of the pandemic restrictions, etc. For now, they haven’t received official information from the Romanian partners as to the opening of borders. “We are waiting for official information and will then start to promote the destination,” stated Elena Avram. The same is true about other destinations that cannot be yet promoted in the absence of official information. They are waiting from partners for updated information about the date when Moldovan tourists could enter the given countries, the entrance conditions – if the test for COVID-19 is needed, if staying in quarantine is necessary, etc. “When all these aspects are clarified, we could start to promote our offers to tourists,” stated Elena Avram.
On June 1, Romania opens its terraces and beaches, but the social distance of at least two meters must be respected. The relaxed measures were announced by President Klaus Iohannis last week. As of June 1, the international road and rail transport is resumed by obeying the distance maintaining and hygiene measures.
