• 37.2% of HoReCa professionals anticipate a decrease in profitability in 2026.
• 1 in 2 entrepreneurs and professionals say they are concerned about the fiscal impact of legislative changes.
• 19 award categories are reviewed by the over 130 RHA jury members.
Over 700 HoReCa professionals participated, on Tuesday, October 21, at the Romanian Hospitality Awards Gala, organized at the National Opera in Bucharest, under the High Patronage of Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown.
During the Gala Opening Speech, HRH Prince Radu urged hospitality entrepreneurs to strengthen relations with partners from the Republic of Moldova, conveying that, for the Royal Family, there is no difference between the hospitality in Suceava and Bălți, or between Chișinău and Cluj.
“For us, there is no barrier between these geographical points. They are all part of the great Romanian spiritual and economic family. I am happy if the ties with the Republic of Moldova will strengthen and intensify in the coming years (…) I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart for this evening! Each of the participants at the Romanian Opera is a winner and, if we move forward with this beautiful, great family of Romanian hospitality, I am sure that the day will come when your merits will be fully recognized,” declared His Royal Highness Prince Radu.
Message from the President of Romania: Tourism must be not only sustainable but also generative
At the Romanian Hospitality Awards Gala, the message of the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, was delivered by Nicoleta-Ramona Dinu, State Counselor for Corporate Governance and Tourism.
The President of Romania proposes a series of new strategic directions for Romanian tourism, adapted to global transformations, the current expectations of tourists and members of local communities: "One trend that we view with particular appreciation is that of generative tourism – an approach that goes beyond the simple act of visiting a place. Beyond the desire to attract tourists, it is about cultivating authentic and lasting connections between travelers and the destinations they explore. Generative tourism brings with it more than memories – it brings contribution. It is about villages that come back to life thanks to family guesthouses or about traditional crafts that continue to exist through the support of local workshops. This form of hospitality generates tangible value – for people, for communities and for the future of Romania. Because Romania is not just a destination on the map, but a living space, worth discovering and supporting,” is shown in the message sent by the President of Romania.
HoReCa entrepreneurs are expecting a difficult new year
During the gala, entrepreneurs and HoReCa professionals were invited to respond to a live survey, providing an updated picture of the industry's perceptions and plans for the coming year.
Thus, 52% of respondents stated that the fiscal impact of legislative changes is the main concern in preparing plans for 2026, while 29% are concerned about the lack of a national strategy for tourism and HoReCa.
HoReCa industry anticipates a decline in profit margins in 2026
Although the majority of respondents (51%) expect increasing demand for their own services and products, they also anticipate decreasing profitability.
Regarding the human resources strategy for 2026, the vast majority of respondents (70%) say they will focus on training and developing existing teams, while only 18% foresee increasing the number of employees.
Who are the winners of the Romanian Hospitality Awards 2025?
The Romanian Hospitality Awards jury, made up of 130 entrepreneurs and professionals from the hospitality and related industries, determined the performers of the year in 19 judging categories, with the entire process being audited by the law firm Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații. The winners of the Romanian Hospitality Awards 2025 include:
- Best restaurant: Romanian Cuisine;
- Best hotel: The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection;
- Best cafe: Origo Coffee;
- Best restaurant club: Beautiful;
- Best Confectionery: French Revolution;
- The best chef: Alex Petricean;
- The best entrepreneur in HoReCa: Radu Savopol;
- Best opening: Éto – Cuisine of Now.
The full list of winners can be found on the website Romanian Hospitality Awards.
About the Romanian Hospitality Awards
Romanian Hospitality Awards represents the largest project to promote and award excellence in the hospitality industry, organized by the Hospitality Culture Institute and the Association for the Promotion of the Hospitality Industry.
Main partner: UniCredit Bank Romania.
Partners: Macromex, Rompetrol, Metro, Coca-Cola, Artesana.
The project is part of a broader vision of developing and supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in hospitality, alongside complementary initiatives of the Hospitality Culture Institute, such as: F&B Business Accelerator, F&B Innovation Camp, Hospitality Culture Research, Intimate Roundtable Conversations.
Article source: Press Release Hospitality Culture Institute
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