The settlement of holiday vouchers registered a sharp decrease of 52.6% in the first two months of this year compared to the similar period in 2025, according to data provided by the Ministry of Finance and centralized by the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT).
The analyzed information shows that, in January 2026, the total value of the issued holiday vouchers amounted to 45.169 million lei, and the amount settled was 47.9 million lei, while the amount related to the returned vouchers amounted to 1.885 million lei.
At the same time, in February of the current year, vouchers worth 45.795 million lei were issued, during which settlements amounted to 47.593 million lei, and the amount related to returned vouchers amounted to 2.068 million lei.
The value of settlements also includes vouchers issued prior to the reference period.
The situation for the first two months of the current year shows, in terms of the issuance of these payment instruments, a decrease of 12.4%, from 103.843 million lei, in 2025. In terms of settlement, a decrease of 52.6% is recorded, from 201.469 million lei, last year.
"We need public policies that support Romanians' vacations in Romania in the context in which the BNR reports a foreign exchange outflow of 9.5 billion euros for trips abroad. In addition, the social impact of vacation vouchers is essential for families who, with these incentives, can afford a vacation in their own country," stated, in a press release, the vice president of ANAT, Adrian Voican.
According to tourism employers, a working group formed by representatives of the hospitality industry, which included the vice president of ANAT, recently had a meeting with the relevant minister.
"During the meeting, the industry's firm support for extending this program for another five years, between 2027 and 2031, was reiterated. The signal is encouraging, especially for employees in the private sector, where interest in such benefits is growing. First of all, vouchers represent a measure with a strong social role! They are especially aimed at employees with lower incomes, contributing to health, prevention and real access to rest. At the same time, they support continued investments in tourism," the statement states.
ANAT emphasizes that, currently, there are approximately 2,000 ongoing projects, worth a total of about six billion euros, "which must not be put at risk."
"Vouchers also contribute to increasing hotel occupancy rates nationwide, throughout the year, in a context where, for example, in January 2026 the occupancy rate was only 20%. Last but not least, they play an important role in reducing the foreign exchange deficit in tourism, which currently stands at approximately -4.5 billion euros," the organization notes.
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