DOMESTIC AND INBOUND TOURISM AS VECTORS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL IMAGE PROMOTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Abstract

In the course of the research, the relationship between inbound tourism and domestic tourism was analyzed as complementary pillars of the tourism market in the Republic of Moldova, as well as their joint contribution to economic growth, social cohesion, and the promotion of the national image. The motivation for the research stemmed from the increasingly important role of tourism in sustainable development and from Moldova’s recent international recognition, having been ranked among the Top 10 best-performing European tourist destinations in 2025. The main hypothesis formulated on the basis of the research results assumes that the expansion of inbound tourism, supported by domestic demand, strengthens the country’s international visibility and contributes to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product and employment. The purpose of the study was to analyze the dynamics of inbound and domestic tourism and to assess their impact on the socio-economic development of the Republic of Moldova. The methodology applied combined quantitative analysis of statistical indicators for the period 2015–2024 with qualitative interpretation of policy measures and promotional outcomes. The research findings indicated a steady postpandemic increase in tourist flows, a 62% rise in international arrivals compared to 2019, and an increase in tourism’s contribution to the formation of the Gross Domestic Product to 1.8% in 2024. The conclusions highlighted that the synergy between domestic and inbound tourism enhances the competitiveness of the tourism sector and strengthens the image of the Republic of Moldova as an authentic and sustainable European destination.