The Romanian seaside is set for a dramatic transformation as a new, privately funded resort named Nibiru is slated to open in July next year between the towns of Costinești and Tuzla.
With an initial investment of €50 million, Nibiru is the largest private tourism initiative in the history of the country’s summer travel industry, aiming to breathe new life into a neglected stretch of the Black Sea coast.
The announcement, made by high-profile entrepreneur and content creator Andrei Șelaru (known as Selly, who started his career as a YouTuber), marks the official start of a project designed to redefine what a Romanian seaside holiday can be.
Unveiled to the press and business leaders at an event held on July 29 at the symbolic hour of 11:11, Nibiru is intended to set new standards in entertainment, hospitality, and leisure on the Black Sea.
A Resort on a Grand Scale
Nibiru will occupy an impressive 1.6 million square meters – roughly the size of a small town – and is designed to operate as a unique summer destination, complete with promenades, restaurants, cafes, and festival spaces.
The project’s scale and ambition are probably the most amazing part, never seen in Romania before: plans include a massive open-air mall, entertainment options for families, and a spectacular amusement park, including a karting space spread over a few hectares (tens of thousands of square meters).
All of its features are ambitious and, right now, might seem a bit too much based on what Romania currently delivers in terms of tourism: it will have the world’s largest nightclub, with a capacity for 30,000 people.
It also has a designated festival grounds, capable of hosting up to 150,000 participants – this makes sense, as Selly is the main man behind the Beach Please music festival, which takes place in nearby Costinesti. So, most likely, unless there are delays, next year’s festival will take place here instead.
Selly and his team describe Nibiru as “a continuous carnival” – a place where every evening brings a new spectacle. Dozens of well-known Romanian clubs and brands have already signed on as partners, and organizers say the culinary experiences will rival those of any top European resort.
A Symbol of Renewal and Ambition
Nibiru’s marketing campaign began with a viral teaser: images of a mysterious pink planet, shared simultaneously by hundreds of artists and influencers, stirred public curiosity.
The “planet” is now revealed as the symbol for this ambitious project, promising a new model for tourism on a coast often criticized for outdated infrastructure, high prices, and lackluster service.
The name choice is strange, though, as Nibiru is the name of a fictional planet, expected to collide with planet Earth and destroy it (read more about it here).
Still, that’s the name they chose for the resort and we can only hope it won’t crash and burn like the fictional planet. My personal take is that it won’t, as Selly proved to be a capable businessman. He also has a solid team behind this project – just one of many he has successfully launched.
Andrei Șelaru, representing the project, stated, “We want Nibiru to be a bold response to years of stagnation on the Romanian coast. Our aim is to offer not just more fun, but a truly modern, vibrant experience that puts us on par with Turkey, Bulgaria, or Greece.”
Costinești mayor Dumitru Jeanu welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the urgent need for new investment and more diverse entertainment options to keep pace with neighboring countries.
A Private Gamble on the Future
Unlike most major resort developments in the region, Nibiru is entirely funded by private capital. Construction is already underway, with the first phase of development targeted for completion before the start of next summer’s holiday season.
Local officials and project leaders believe the resort could help revitalize a coastline that has seen little new investment in recent years.
If successful, Nibiru may set a precedent for how Romania reinvents itself as a destination for a new generation of travelers, combining large-scale entertainment, modern amenities, and a fresh sense of style – in other words, something the country desperately needs.
With its grand vision and significant private backing, Nibiru stands as both a test and a beacon: Can one bold project spark a renaissance for Romania’s Black Sea coast? Tourists will find out when the pink planet rises next summer. As I said, I personally believe that it will instantly become one of Romania’s best beach resorts.
To keep an eye on Nibiru (and find out even more details), visit its official website and/or social media channels: TikTok, Instagram or YouTube – the latter is where you can check out the full, 1 hour-long presentation of the project.
What do you think about this project? Any predictions?
Having lived in Romania for over 4 decades, I am here to tell you everything about this beautiful country. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, I love traveling and I’ve been writing about Romania since 2013. Currently living in Constanta.