Multimedia Mania/abacus-multimedia-mania.iso/dp/0045/00455.txt

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$Unique_ID{bob00455}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Romania
Chapter 8.    Visiting Romania}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Donald E. deKieffer}
$Affiliation{Embassy of Romania, Washington DC}
$Subject{romania
bucharest
romanian
hotels
foreign
black
business
tourist
major
cards}
$Date{1990}
$Log{}
Title:       Romania
Book:        Doing Business with the New Romania
Author:      Donald E. deKieffer
Affiliation: Embassy of Romania, Washington DC
Date:        1990

Chapter 8.    Visiting Romania

SIGHTSEEING

     Although correspondence can go far towards introducing products and
technology and perhaps soliciting inquiries, it is not a very effective sales
method in Romania. Initial correspondence and catalogues should be followed up
by direct visits. These visits, however, must be organized in advance for
maximum effectiveness. An unplanned two or three day visit could be wasted
waiting in a hotel lobby.

     Including a day or two for sightseeing could be worthwhile, especially
if a visitor is accompanied by his or her spouse.

     Romania's many tourist attractions include fine natural settings,
historical sites and folklore, and attract an average of seven million
visitors a year, mostly from other Eastern European countries. Prices are
reasonable.

     The Romanian Black Sea coast is frequented by millions, as are the
Romanian spas. The Transylvanian Alps and Carpathians offer some of the best
skiing in Europe at very reasonable prices, and the Danube Delta is the
refuge for thousands of animals and hundreds of endangered species. Most of
the Delta is currently a nature reserve and is open to the public.

     Romania's major tourist areas include the following:

     Burcharest-The capital city and major tourist center with many
opportunities for sightseeing and entertainment. Bucharest is surrounded by
parks and lakes and is the first stop for most foreign tourists entering the
country.

     Mountain Resorts-The most popular are located along the Prahova and
Timis Valleys cutting through the Carpathians. In recent years, numerous
resorts have been built in the areas around Brasov, emphasizing both summer
and winter sports and including a major European equestrian center. This
region is also known as "Dracula country" and tourists can visit the haunts
of both the historical and fictional characters. Romania has not, however,
adequately developed the ghoul market.

     The Black Sea Coast-The country's principal summer tourist zone. Sun and
water sports are the main attractions. The city of Constantza, an important
economic center and the largest harbor on the Black Sea, stands on the ancient
site of the former Greek colony of Tomi. A chain of resorts stretches about
70 miles along the coast from north to south (Mamaia, Constantza, Eforie Nord,
Eforie Sud, Costinesti, Neptun, Jupter, Cap Aurora, Venus, Saturn, and
Mangalia) with good hotels and villas and ancillary combinations for tourists:
bowling alleys, miniature golf courses and rental boats. Several of the
facilities in this region are known for their spas for the treatment of
rheumatism.

     The Danube Delta-The largest in Europe, has a unique landscape and a rich
variety of wildlife, including large colonies of pelicans and worldclass
fishing opportunities.

     Northern Moldavia-In the northeastern part of Romania, is famous for its
ancient traditions and native architecture. The City of Suceava, the former
capital of Moldavia in the 14th-16th centuries, preserves many historic and
architectural monuments, including the Fortress of Suceava and Scheia.

     Central Moldavia-Covers the area around the city of Piatra Neamt crossed
by the Bistrita and Bicaz Rivers. Major tourist attractions include the Bicaz
Gorges, Lacul Rosu (Red Lake), and the historic lake of Bicaz with water sport
centers, hotels and camping sites.

     Northern Oltenia-Well-known for spas and health resorts such as Govora,
Calimanesti, Olanesti, Caciulata and Ocnele Mari.

USEFUL TIPS

Business Hours

     The normal business hours for foreign trade companies and other
government offices are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday,
and from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday. In Bucharest some office hours are
scheduled half an hour later. Most staff members take a short lunch break
around 11:30 a.m. or noon. Department stores are open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m. Food stores are generally open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Official Holidays

     Commercial and government holidays are observed January 1 (New Year's),
May 1 (International Workers' Day) and December 1 (National Holiday). The day
following each of these holidays is also a public holiday. Several more
holidays will be announced by the government in 1992, so be sure to check.

Clothing

     Bucharest has a temperate climate. Like other East European capitals,
Bucharest is not well-known for haute couture. Further, most Romanians-even
businessmen-dress rather casually. In summer one can go to Bucharest's best
restaurants in the evenings and be able to count the ties on one hand. In the
upper levels of the government and bureaucracy, the directors tend to be
slightly more formal (they generally wear a jacket and slacks). Significantly,
women tend to pay more attention to their appearance than do men. The vast
majority of working women wear smart, if not stylish, dresses while their male
counterparts may come to work in jeans and a tee-shirt.

Language

     Romanians rarely expect foreign businessmen to speak their language.
Negotiations may generally be conducted in English. Romanians will generally
supply their own interpreters, if necessary. Interpreters can also be secured
through the National Travel Office (ONT) in Bucharest or the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Romania.

Tipping

     Although tips are officially discouraged, they are still appreciated.
Romania is, however, a tipper's delight. Tips are only expected for
extraordinary service. Even then, 10 percent is generally adequate. For meals,
however, a 12 percent gratuity may already be included in the bill and an
additional tip is not necessary.

Lighting

     Due to the high cost of electricity, Romanian offices, factories and
homes are gloomy by Western standards. Energy conservation has gone on for
along time in Romania. It is impolite to comment upon this, as it is a matter
of longstanding custom as well as financial necessity.

Black Market

     There is a black market in Romania not only for foreign currencies but
for all Western goods. Due to strict enforcement and the inability of most
Romanians to dispose of their hard currency, the black market offers no real
economic opportunity and should be strenuously avoided. This is especially
true now that legal "hard currency" stores are open to local residents.
Western companies seeking to sell their goods need not rely on black markets,
but can do so openly through approved channels.

Punctuality

     Unlike many other Latin countries, Romanians in the business and
government sectors tend to be rather punctual. It is considered bad form to be
late for business appointments.

Business Cards

     Romanians are fastidious about business cards. After introducing
themselves, they will almost invariably hand you one of their cards. The
visitor should be prepared to reciprocate.

Shopping

     All the major deluxe hotels in Romania, as well as a dozen more locations
scattered about Bucharest, have so-called "convertible currency stores." These
stores stock goods not generally available to Romanians such as liquor,
cigarettes, jewelry and portable tape recorders. Anyone with Western currency
is welcome to shop at these stores. Romania also offers a variety of local
products at extremely reasonable prices. Best bets are crystal, handicrafts,
lambskin, sweaters, carvings and fox.

Health

     Although no inoculations are required for travelers coming from the
United States or Europe, it is advisable to be immunized against polio and
hepatitis for travel outside urban areas. Health requirements change.
Travelers should check most recent information.

Time Zone

     Romania is in the East European time zone (GMT plus 2 hours); daylight
savings time (GMT plus 3 hours) applies from the first Sunday in April to the
last Sunday in September.

Electricity

     Electricity in Romania is 220 volt, 50 cycle. Romania uses European
(continental) style plus.

Weights/Measures

     The metric system is used exclusively in Romania, having been adopted
in 1866.

Credit Cards

     The following credit cards are valid in Romania: Diner's Club, American
Express, MasterCard, Access Card, Barclaycard, Carte Blanche, Eurocard, Visa
and Interbank. Before assuming these cards are accepted in a given
establishment, however, visitors are advised to observe signs posted at the
establishment or inquire before ordering.

Pharmaceuticals

     While Romanian drug stores (chemist's shops ) carry a wide range of
pharmaceuticals, sometimes even the generic names of prescription drugs vary
from their U.S. designations. Travelers should ordinarily bring with them
sufficient prescription drugs for their stay. In an emergency, however,
prescription drugs may be obtained 24 hours a day from Chemists #5,18, Magheru
Blvd., Bucharest; telephone 14.61.16.

News

     Unlike other Communist countries, Romania has permitted ownership of
shortwave radios. In addition to the local Romanian stations, foreign
businessmen may also listen to broadcasts of Voice of America and Radio Free
Europe. Romanian television is currently broadcast in black and white and in
color. There are dozens of newspapers in Romania, several in English. Romanian
news is available in most hotels in several foreign languages. Foreign
newspapers and periodicals are not easily available in Romania.

Weekends

     For the business traveler, ONT-CARPATI, National Tourist Office, offers
a number of two- and three-day tours of the Bucharest area and outlying
regions. These range from excursions to the Carpathians to two days on the
Black Sea coast. There are also specialized tours emphasizing the wine
country, monasteries, folklore, history and castles. In addition, ONT-CARPATI
can arrange "customized" tours with drivers and interpreters. Hotels can also
advise business travelers of events in Bucharest over weekends. These include
sporting events, motion pictures, opera and symphony. Romanians play hard on
the weekends. The parks and lakes around Bucharest are jammed with people
during this period and numerous cultural events are scheduled at this time.

Telephone/Telex/Fax

     Telephone, telex and fax facilities are available at most major hotels.
As in other European countries, telephone and telex facilities are also
available at post offices.

     As is the case with most European countries, however, it is almost always
cheaper to receive telephone/telex/fax messages than to send them. In
addition, many hotels add service charges to overseas calls which make such
contacts prohibitive. Many businessman arrange to have their offices contact
them at predetermined times, rather than initiating contacts themselves.

     Foreign companies which establish offices in Romania can obtain
telephones, telexes and faxes by contacting the International Agency of the
National Tourist Office (ONT).

Housing

     Housing for foreign nationals temporarily (or permanently) resident in
Romania can be obtained through the International Agency of the ONT Rental of
apartments ranges from $10 to $100 per day depending upon location and size.

Tourist Information

     The "Carpati-Bucharest" National Tourist Office offers the following
services: reservations of rooms at hotels, motels, camping sites, etc.;
currency exchange; sightseeing tours of Bucharest; booking for tickets for
performance and sporting events; reservations in spas; rent-a-car; booking of
train tickets; multilingual guides; and transfers to airports and railway
stations. These services can also be arranged through most major hotels.
Carpati-Bucharest National Tourist Office, 7, Magheru Blvd.; telephone
14.51.60; telex 11270 CarpatR.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

     Foreign citizens entering Romania are entitled to bring with them the
following products duty free: liquor (2 liters), cigarettes (200) or tobacco
(300 grams), wine or beer (4 liters), cameras (2), film (10 rolls), movie
camera (1), movie film (10), gifts (up to 2000 lei). Personal belongings
including a reasonable amount of jewelry, binoculars (1), radios (1), laptop
computers (1), tape recorders (1), dictating machines (1), etc., can also be
brought in without declaration. Purchases up to 1000 lei can be exported
without declaration. Be sure to retain receipts for these. The Customs
regulations are currently being reviewed. Be sure to check with the closest
Romanian embassy for the latest modifications.

Samples

     Samples and models without commercial value (cut, punched and stapled on
cards) may be imported duty-free. Samples of commercial value may be
temporarily imported on the basis of ATA carnets. Should these commercial
value samples remain in Romania, they must be assigned to a Romanian foreign
trade company. Such samples may also be assigned duty free to educational
establishments, research centers or medical institutions.

     Businessmen may bring into Romania medicines for personal use
proportionate to the duration of their stay. Medicine, clothes, food,
cigarettes, up to 4000 lei per year for each person of age and 2000 lei
for each child, are exempt from customs duties for the permanent staff of
foreign offices in Romania.

Literature

     Unlike former times, almost all restrictions on the importation of
literature have been lifted. Books in commercial quantities for resale,
however, may be subject to customs duties.

Visas

     As of August, 1990, visas are still required for most visitors from the
U.S. and the U.K. These may be obtained on arrival at an entry point. Delays
can be avoided, however, by obtaining a visa prior to your visit at any
Romanian embassy. Unlike prior years, multiple entry visas are now
available.

AIR TRAVEL

     TAROM and LAR provide local service from 16 airports. These Romanian
companies also operate 36 overseas routes.

     Three international airports (Bucharest, Constantza and Timisoara)
provide flight services.

CAR, BUS AND RAIL

     Cars may be rented either with or without a driver at all major hotels.
Rental, with driver (minimum 4 hours), is $5-6 per hour; without a driver,
$19 per day plus 25 cents per kilometer.

TAXIS

     Taxis in Bucharest may be ordered through the hotel doorman or by dialing
053. Unless you speak Romanian, however, it is better to have someone
call for you as the taxi switchboard operators have a great deal of
difficulty understanding English messages. All taxis are metered and are
very reasonable.

Gypsy Cabs

     In addition, it sometimes seems that every tenth Romanian with an
automobile is prepared to take you anywhere you want to go at about double
the rate of the official taxicabs. This is a booming business due to the
relative scarcity of cabs in the city.

     Foreign businessmen are advised not to use the facilities of the
"gypsy" cab system. Gypsy cabs are not only highly illegal (passengers may be
subject to arrest as well as the drivers), but they are also expensive.
Moreover, the drivers don't know Bucharest as well as official chauffeurs,
and there can be significant insurance problems in the event of an accident.

Public Transport

     Bucharest has many inexpensive, but often crowded buses and streetcars.
A new subway system was inaugurated in 1979 and is currently
undergoing expansion.

     Driving to Bucharest from December through February is not advised, as
mountain passes can be hazardous. Otherwise, the main roads are
reasonably good.

Rail

     Rail facilities are available for domestic and international travel. The
daily Wiener-Walzer Express from Vienna takes roughly 20 hours to reach
Bucharest.

Automobiles

     A foreigner stationed in Romania may opt to buy a Romanian DACIA
1300 automobile for local use through the COMTURIST agency (approximate
price: $5,000).

Importing Cars

     Alternatively, one can import a car. The current customs duty rate for
permanently imported cars is 30 percent of their value.

HOTELS

     Foreigners are usually expected to settle their hotel accounts in hard
currency. All deluxe category hotels, however, accept major credit cards. At
the hard currency rate, Romanian hotels in the deluxe category are reasonably
priced compared to similar accommodations elsewhere in Europe.

     Hotel reservations may be guaranteed in the following manner:

     - By reservations made by a partner travel agency of the National Travel
Office (ONT);

     - By the Intercontinental Hotel chain for guaranteed reservations at
"Intercontinental" and "Continental" hotels in Bucharest.

     - By the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania.

RESTAURANTS

     Romania has thousands of bars, brasseries, and beer gardens. There is a
local custom, however, dating back many years, which dictates that only
spirits are sold in bars while beer and wine are sold in brasseries. Except
for the Black Sea coastal resorts where beer is sold in bars, you must order
your lighter alcoholic beverages in brasseries, restaurants or beer gardens.

     As in most Eastern European countries, imported hard liquor sold in bars
can be very expensive and one is generally better off buying a bottle for
the room or sticking to the local offerings which, in the case of beer and
wine, are exceptionally good.

Night Life

     While Bucharest may not be Paris in terms of night life, there are still
a few interesting places to visit after dark. Nightclubs include:

Athenee Palace
1-3, Episcopiei Street
Telephone: 14.09.88

Doina
4, Soseaua Kiseleff
Telephone: 16.30.95

Melody
2, Pictor Verona Street
Telephone: 12.92.00