Tourism Boom in Moldova: Foreign Arrivals and Domestic Travel on the Rise

Published on November 29, 2025

Tourism in the Republic of Moldova sets a record, having engaged an ever-growing number of foreign guests, as well as a significant attraction of residents to vacation in their own country. Economist Veaceslav Ionita believes that Moldova’s tourism sector is slowly reaching its peak, and in 2025, the sector will break all the records of the tourism sector of the Republic of Moldova.

From Ionita’s analysis, it is known that 2023 is the third quarter with the highest number of 252 000 guests served by Moldovan travel agencies. This is the largest number of guests served in a quarter of a year to date. 2025 will also be a record in terms of the number of guests visiting the Republic of Moldova. It is predicted that there will be 583,000 visitors in 2025, which is a small increase from 2024, with 556,000 visitors. This is new tourism to the Republic of Moldova and the increasing number of Moldovans who choose to vacation in their country. It is a difference in tourism from Moldovans traveling abroad.

Moldova’s Growing Appeal to Foreign Tourists

Moldova is one of Eastern Europe’s best kept secrets. For many years, international travelers have bypassed Moldova, while neighboring countries, such as Romania or Ukraine, attract the majority of visitors. This has changed dramatically over the last few years as the world has become aware of Moldova’s rich history, beautiful vineyards, and stunning landscapes.

Wine tourism is one of the country’s strongest attractions. Moldova is home to one of the world’s oldest vineyards and, as such, has many popular wineries, such as Cricova Winery, Milestii Mici, and Purcari Winery. These wineries host many visitors for tastings, tours, and special events. Moldova has a unique blend of cultures, such as Slavic, Romanian, and Ottoman, that permeates the countries many ancient monasteries and fortresses to modern festivals celebrating the country’s traditions.

Tourists wine tourism attractions in Moldova include the capital, Chisinau, which has a popular blend of European aesthetics and Soviet-era history. The city has parks such as Parcul Valea Morilor and Stefan Cel Mare Park, as well as the National Museum of History of Moldova, which encompasses the country’s diverse and rich history.

Outdoor pursuits like hiking, biking, and river cruises are also available, further driving the interests of adventure travelers and nature lovers alike in the outdoor activities that the countryside of Moldvoa, along with Codru Forest and the Dnister River, have to offer.

Increased Interest in Domestic Travel

Ionita’s research shows that the growth in absent foreign tourists coincides with the increasing employee travel within Moldova. Domestic Travel is growing steadily with 398,000 Moldovans in the country during the 3rd quarter of 2022, almost the same number of Moldovans that traveled externally in 2022, 397,000.

The growing interest in travel within the country has been driven by an increase in local travel promotion, development of travel related infrastructure that enable tourists to have affordable, comfortable travel within close vicinity and desire for economical travel. Their is growing knowledge and rediscovery of the Moldova’s remote and regional Beauty and divers sections that moldova has to offer. The Orheiul Vechi monastery complex, one of the historic regions, is being popularized among urban travelers along with the Bucovina section, which is famous for its cultural heritage, and also has vast and beautiful nature.

Supporting local businesses is very helpful to the economic development of the rural areas of Moldova. Because of the positive changes to the tourist infrastructure in Moldova, local residents are more inclined to visit tourist destinations that are uniquely and solely found within the borders of the nation, more use is made of the growing tourist road networks, and more guided tours are available to the local population.

Investment in tourism infrastructure

The focus on the development of tourism infrastructure in Moldova and the economic growth of the country are interdependent to a very great insurer. The construction of tourist accommodation facilities (hotels), the development and modernization of means of public transport (buses and trains), and the development of added value to the industry (tourism) services are all positive changes that shape the growth of new economic sectors of the country. In particular, the efforts of public administration to promote and support tourism in remote areas of the country and outside the capital city (Chisinau) are diversifying the tourism offer of Moldova.

Promoting Moldova as a cultural and eco-friendly tourism destination is a positive addition to the benefits Moldova has to offer. The government is and has been practicing sustainable tourism, protective of cultural and natural heritage sites, and tourism that is development-friendly with eco-friendly facilities and services within the tourism destination. Moldova has become an eco-friendly, sustainable, and responsible tourism destination.

New travel marketing initiatives and collaborations with various international tourism organizations will further boost interest in visiting Moldova. Moldova continues to expand tourism infrastructure and will soon become a tourism center for Eastern Europe.

Conclusion

Moldova tourism is at an all-time high in the country with a growing trend in international visitors and domestic travel. Moldova will continue to grow and develop in the travel and tourism industry as the country has a positive welcoming environment and encourages travel throughout the country.

More and more people are learning of the attractions of Moldova, including diverse and high-quality wine, exceptional history, and the beauty of the outdoors. Moldovan tourism will provide uplifting travel opportunities for many, and Moldova will continue to receive growing tourism as a diverse and high-quality travel destination.