The National Association of Tourism Agencies (ANAT) criticizes the recent statements of the Minister of the Environment, Waters and Forests, Diana Buzoianu, regarding the situation on the coast and warns that they may have consequences for the summer season of 2026.
In a statement sent to the editors, the organization claims that the problem of the sewage infrastructure on the coast is an old one and that the responsibility belongs to the state.
“We do not dispute the reported reality. Yes, there are improvised solutions on the coast. But what the minister omits is essential: these solutions are the direct consequence of a systemic failure of the Romanian state, which, for over 20 years, was not able to ensure the minimum sewage infrastructure”, it is shown in the press release.
According to ANAT, the beach operators were forced to carry out their activity in the absence of solutions offered by the authorities.
“Beach operators are not the cause of the problem, but its effect. They invested millions, developed services, kept the coastline alive and attracted tourists, while the state, through institutions such as Romanian Waters, was mainly limited to collecting royalties, without delivering the necessary infrastructure”, send the representatives of the organization.
The President of ANAT, Alin Burcea, says that tourism is often the target of public criticism.
“It seems that tourism, instead of being supported, is the target of everyone. We better shut everything down and declare ourselves a non-tourism country”he declares.
In the statement, ANAT claims that some statements made in the public space last fall would have contributed to the increase in costs for the following season.
“Last fall’s irresponsible statements that a beach rental would be equivalent to a single day’s earnings directly contributed to a serious distortion of perception and administrative decisions that led to the tripling of costs for the 2026 season”the release states.
According to the organization, these costs will be reflected in the prices paid by tourists and in the competitiveness of the Romanian coast.
ANAT representatives warn that eliminating current solutions without offering alternatives could affect the activity of beach operators and the experience of tourists.
“Eliminating existing solutions overnight, without putting anything in place, is not reform. It is gridlock.” transmit the representatives.
Also, ANAT states that it has repeatedly requested investments and solutions for coastal infrastructure.
“If urgent measures are not taken to provide the infrastructure, or at least to temporarily regulate the existing situation, the consequences will be obvious to everyone: the beaches will become unsuitable spaces and the tourist experience will suffer severely”he also writes in the material sent to the editors.
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“Romanian tourism cannot be managed through clips and momentary reactions. We do not need a “TikTok minister”, but serious public policies, real investments and commitment. Without them, the 2026 summer season is not only in danger. It is directly called into question”. conclude ANAT representatives.
Controls on the coast after the discovery of pipelines that would lead directly to the sea
We remind you that on March 13, 2026, the Minister of the Environment, Waters and Forests, Diana Buzoianu, announced controls on the coast after gas tanks, illegal pits and pipes leading directly to the sea were discovered under the sand.
“We also discovered today (no – Friday), walking in the field, pipes that entered the sea directly. Controls will be carried out today regarding these aspects, let’s see exactly where those pipes come from, what is discharged into the sea in Romania and obviously all sanctions should be applied. The very clear message for absolutely everyone is that we want economic development in the area, but we want it in compliance with the legislation”. said the minister.
According to her, the checks have been intensified in recent days, and the inspectors must identify the source of the pipes discovered and possible discharges into the sea.
The minister also referred to the situation in Năvodari, where a gas tank was allegedly found buried in the sand, and said that such cases must be eliminated.
“If there are such reservoirs, they must be identified and the entire beach in Romania must be controlled in order to be able to see if all the land where there were previously illegal terraces, which had kitchens and which could have otherwise also had such reservoirs illegally buried. (…) The beaches in Romania must not be reservoirs, the beaches in Romania must be civilized”, Buzoianu said.
In the same context, the minister also spoke about the auctions for renting the beaches, where, according to her, there would be more than 300 interested operators.
“We currently have tenders that have specifications that include criteria for the area to be accessible for people with disabilities. Innovative facilities such as internet access for people who come to use the respective beaches, charging for electronic equipment, natural materials that can be used, reeds or wood instead of plastic.” the Minister of the Environment also declared.
At the same time, Diana Buzoianu said that the local authorities would have had, in recent years, the obligation to provide the necessary utilities near the beaches.
“The local authorities are the ones who for 20 years have the obligation to bring utilities near the beach, so that the economic operator can use these utilities, and they have not done so. What we will do is that we will no longer turn our eyes to say that there are utilities and all the obligations are respected, as long as the local authorities do not respect their obligations.” concluded the Minister of the Environment.
