The Federation of the Hotel Industry of Romania (FIHR), the oldest employers' organization in Romanian tourism, brought together its members in the Annual General Assembly, which took place on April 3. On this occasion, elections were held for the management structures of FIHR - the positions of president, members of the Board of Directors and the Censors Commission. Following the elections, Mrs. Simona Constantinescu will continue for the next two years, with a new term as President of FIHR, and the newly elected Board of Directors is composed of the following members: Dragos Anastasiu – Green Village Resort, Calin Ile – Ramada Sibiu, Stefan Balaur – Continental Hotels Romania, Marius Bazavan – Bacolux Hotels Romania, Andreea Balaj – Cluj catering, Otilia Demian – Bacolux Hotels Romania, Raluca Bogdan – Radisson Blu Bucharest & Park Inn, Camellia Ladybug – JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, Sebastian-Ionut Puznava – The Mamaia Marea Patronage Association, Constanta and Victor Berceanu – Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Craiova. In the Censors Committee, the ladies continue their activity Sanda Almasan – Grand Hotel Continental and Grațiela Bădicu – The Boutique Hotel Moxa.
FIHR maintains as its priority directions the representation of its members in the field of tourism, in dialogue with regulatory authorities, on the following main pillars: participation in consultations and negotiations to update the legislation in the field and ensure a predictable, fair and competitive business environment at European level; digitalization of reporting for efficiency, debureaucratization and obtaining relevant statistics for the development of appropriate public policies; supporting educational programs adapted to the requirements for attracting young people to the hospitality field; professional promotion, with adequate budgets, of Romania as a tourist destination.
"In this complex global context, I firmly believe that constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors is the cornerstone of the evolution of the tourism sector. We will stand with government decision-makers to shape those public policies that will transform our industry for the better. The challenges related to fiscal unpredictability, the political framework still under the influence of the electoral campaign, a decrease in purchasing power corroborated with global macro-economic tensions and a country image poorly promoted abroad and affected by the neighborhood with Ukraine are some of the factors that tourism businesses are forced to find solutions to in the business strategy of this year and the coming years. Therefore, it is time to transform the immense potential of Romania's tourism into concrete and competitive results. This is our mission and our work agenda for the coming period. Together, we will make Romania a reference tourist destination, a place where visitors feel inspired, welcome and eager to return.", declares Simona Constantinescu, president of FIHR.
The Romanian Hotel Industry Federation urges immediate action, prioritizing the creation of ambitious public policies to boost investments in essential infrastructure, carefully restore historical monuments, support spa tourism with its unique natural healing factors, and build a vibrant and attractive image of Romania as a top destination. For this, it is necessary to understand the context and consumption habits of tourists, whose decision to travel is decisively influenced by online reputation, the image of destinations created by films, festivals, cultural events and major sports competitions, or the ability to host international fairs and conferences, given the availability of transport connections and the safety of travel.
"It is time to act with unity and determination to transform Romania into a world-class tourist destination; we have everything we need to succeed..“, adds Simona Constantinescu.
About the Romanian Hotel Industry Federation (FIHR)
The Romanian Hotel Industry Federation (FIHR) is the first employers' organization in Romanian tourism, being present at national level in 28 counties and cumulating over 18,300 rooms in member hotel properties, representing the interests of the Romanian hotel industry for the last 35 years, through permanent dialogue with the authorities and the media, as well as with other associative entities at national and European level. FIHR is a member of the Tourism Advisory Council, the Tourism Alliance and the Concordia Employers' Confederation. It is affiliated with HOTREC at European level, an organization that represents the voice of hospitality in Europe. www.fihr.ro
