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Roaming freely

Romanian tourism experts predict a 25% increase in tourists visiting the country this year.

And Romania's accession to the EU appears to be a big reason for this.

EU guidelines state: "The free movement of persons between the Member States of the EU is one of the basic aims of the Union. What has become true for capital, goods and services, has to be a reality for people too."

Click below to see how EU policy is affecting the travel industry and its customers:

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The recent travel boom has been reflected in Wizz Air's announcement that they are launching new routes from the UK to Romania.

The Eastern European low-cost airline will soon fly between London and Transylvania and between Liverpool and Bucharest.

But do people want to leave the country now that visa requirements have been eased?

Mihaiela Iliescu“I usually travel and most of my holidays are abroad. I could remain abroad, but no, I come back. Travelling is one thing, but I work here.” Mihaiela Iliescu, 39

Georgiana Hagiu"I don’t see myself staying in just one country, maybe one year here, one year in France or England, Ana-Maria Andonbecause this world is so big and there's so much to learn from it.”Georgiana Hagiu,18

“I want to stay working here and try to help the country develop somehow. I’ll do my best.” Ana-Maria Andon, 18.

But freedom of movement does not mean freedom to work in all member states.

In fact the UK's worker restrictions on Romanians have come under scrutiny recently.

Although they limit the numbers of Romanians legally allowed to work here, critics say there aren't any measures in place to make sure those on tourist visas actually return home.

But travel agent Maria Olieanu thinks the majority of people taking flight are genuine tourists: “The ones who just want to travel and see it aren't making problems; they are travelling a lot in the week for business, and at the weekends for shopping. That's why the flights are full.”

Click here to hear more on the freedom of movement debate.

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External Links

EU Freedom of Movement guidelines

Travel & Tourism: Romania

Romania's tourism: article, Czech Business Weekly