The “Destination of the Year 2025” competition has officially opened its doors, launching a new challenge for the most spectacular places in Romania!
Sibiu won both the Grand Trophy Destination of the Year 2024 Photo Destination of the Year
The event organized by an online platform aims to transform Romanian destinations into reference tourism brands. In the first stage, dedicated to nominations, open until December 5, 2024, the public can propose unforgettable destinations, classified in fewer categories than last year (12). Current categories include: Inspiring Cities, Spas, Enchanted Lands, Fairytale Villages, Fun & Adventure, Culture & Education, and Best Promotion.
The nominations offer a unique chance to highlight outstanding destinations through a broad, integrated promotional campaign that includes television, social media and digital platforms. Last year, the competition attracted more than 500,000 votes and generated huge interest online. It practically tripled its notoriety in the last two of the four seasons so far, recording a total of over 50 million views of the promoted destinations.
Future stages of the Destination of the Year 2025 edition include public voting and expert judging, culminating in an Awards Gala in April next year, which will reveal the winning destinations.
Brașov received a special Award for Destination of the Year 2024 Photo Destination of the Year
The big winners of past editions
At the previous edition of the Destination of the Year competition, with 12 categories in the contest, Romanians mobilized in large numbers to support their favorite destinations. The trophy for “Cities that inspire” was won by the municipality of Sibiu, which also obtained Grand Prix – Destination of the Year 2024. Bran emerged victorious in the category “Tourist resorts”, and Biertan, from Sibiu county, was awarded at “Fairy Tale Villages”.
Other award-winning emblematic places were the Dacian Fortresses in Orăștiei Mountains for “Lands with tradition and history”, Corvinir Castle in the category “Cultural-educational attractions” and the Eco Region of the Danube Delta, declared the winner at “Eco-tourist regions”.
Biertan Sibiu won the “Storytelling Village” award at Destination of the Year 2024 Photo Destination of the Year
A year before, Destination of the Year was marked by memorable winners: the city of Brașov prevailed at “Cities that inspire”, and The Grand Trophy Destination of the Year 2023 was granted Land of the Monasteries from Bucovinaalso winner in the category “Lands with history and tradition.”
Other award-winning destinations included Șara Hațegului at “Natural treasures”, Mom at “Tourist Resorts” and the Palace of Culture in Iasi for “Cultural-educational attractions”. To the category “Amusement and Adventure Parks” Dino Parc Râșnov was the first prize, and Valea Verde Retreat was appreciated for “Gastronomic experiences”. In the hotel category, Hotel Pleiada from Iasi received the distinction for “Boutique”, and the Green Village Resort from Sfântu Gheorghe was named the winner at “Resort”.
The Destination of the Year Trophy Brezoi Town Hall Photo
During the previous editions (2021 – 2022), Iasi stood out at “Cities that Inspire”, and the 2021 competition designated Mountain Banat as the Destination of the Yearpointing out the importance of promoting unique and attractive destinations in Romania.
With government support and support from media partners, “Destination of the Year” aims to promote Romania as a top tourist destination and inspire Romanians to explore charming places in their own country.
