Analytics, Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Tourism

Maarika Liivamagi, managing director of the Estonian Association of Hotels and Restaurants, said the biggest decliner was the Russian market.

"Altogether 1,792,696 foreign tourists stayed at our accommodation establishments during the first 11 months of 2015, almost half of whom were visitors from Finland, Latvia, Russia and Germany. And our main export markets Finland and Russia being on a decline had an impact on the overall statistics too," Liivamagi said in a press release.

The number of tourists arriving from Russia was 87,828, marking a reduction of 34% from the same period a year ago.

The biggest increases were registered in the numbers of tourists from Japan, the United States and Denmark, which were up by 34%, 28% and 21%, respectively.

"These are not big numbers in absolute terms, but they represent very important regions strategically. When it comes to Asia, for instance, both the state and the private sector have done a lot of work to open that market more for us," Liivamagi said.

After Tallinn, the next most popular destinations for foreign tourists in Estonia are Parnu, Tartu and Saare county. For Finnish tourists, in addition to the above, East-Viru county, South Estonia and Hiiumaa occupy high places on the scoreboard. For tourists from Latvia, Parnu county ranks high alongside Parnu town.

Small increases in the number of stayovers from Sweden were registered in Parnu and Voru counties, whereas in the rest of the counties the balance continued to be negative. The favorite destinations for German tourists meanwhile include Tartu and Tartu county.

In domestic tourism accommodation establishments of Valga, Viljandi, Rapla and East-Viru counties have boosted their popularity the most.