Europe’s Travel Sector Welcomes Romania and Bulgaria to Schengen

Photo source: European Travel Commission (ETC)

Europe’s travel and tourism industry welcomed Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area. The two countries’ partial EU accession opens borders to travel and is set to enhance social cohesion, deepen European integration, and facilitate seamless travel.

Describing the news as a landmark development for air and sea transport in South-Eastern Europe, the Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) and the European Travel Commission (ETC) said it will also create opportunities to develop tourism in these destinations.

“Facilitating travel for EU citizens in Romania and Bulgaria is an important step forward for Europe. This development will have positive economic and social repercussions for local communities and the wider economy,” said ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec.

Accession into the Schengen Zone by air and sea is set to improve connectivity to the two countries allowing travelers to move between Bulgaria, Romania and other Schengen Zone countries without undergoing passport or customs checks.

Photo source: European Parliament

“Welcoming Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen Zone by air and sea is key in facilitating seamless travel for locals and tourists alike. This offers a stellar opportunity to develop tourism in these two lesser-known destinations, which will benefit local communities and businesses as well as the wider European tourism ecosystem,” said ETC Executive Director Eduardo Santander.

Commenting on the news, President of the Romanian Airport Association and ACI Europe board member David Ciceo said Romanian airports expect over 14 million passengers to travel within the Schengen Zone “Already in the remaining months of 2024, representing some 70% of all passenger traffic. “The dynamic growth of air transport in our region means that figure will reach almost 21 million passengers in 2025,” he said.

EU member states agreed to remove air and sea internal border controls for Bulgaria and Romania last December.