Moldova ranked first in Europe for growth in the number of foreign tourists

The Republic of Moldova has demonstrated record growth in international tourism. According to the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), in the first half of 2026, the number of foreign tour operators and travelers who visited the country increased by 25% compared with the same period last year.

This figure was the highest not only in the region, but throughout Europe. By comparison, such popular destinations as Greece and Ireland each recorded a 15% increase in tourist flows.

Moldova’s impressive results stand out against global trends: during the first six months of the year, international tourism as a whole grew by just 0.4%, while the European region posted average growth of 3%.

Experts note that the country’s growing popularity is driven by its appeal as an authentic destination with unexplored locations, a rich culture, traditional cuisine, unique winemaking, and picturesque landscapes.

The Ministry of Economy and Regional Development emphasized that this success confirms the sector’s strong potential and the need for further investment in infrastructure, the promotion of the tourism brand, and the development of new services במסגרת the state tourism development program.