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

In 2016, 1.57 mln foreign visitors were hosted at accommodation establishments, and this figure has grown by 6.7% in comparison to 2015. The number of nights spent by foreign visitors has increased by 5.9%. Most of the foreign visitors came from Russia (208.8 thsd), Germany (187.8 thsd) and the Baltic neighbour states – Lithuania (158.8 thsd) and Estonia (145.3 thsd). There has been a significant increase in the number of visitors from China (of 57.8%), the USA (33.9%), Israel (27.5%), the United Kingdom (22.7%), Spain (21.6%) and Finland (21.5%). Slight growth was experienced in the number of visitors from Russia – of 2.5%. In turn, there were less foreign visitors from Belgium (by 25.4%), the Netherlands (8.4%), Norway (4.7%) , Sweden (3.6%) and the Czech Republic (3.2%).

The neighbouring countries of Latvia accounted for 34.9% of all foreign visitors – 13.3% were from Russia, 10.1% from Lithuania, 9.2% from Estonia and 2.3% from Belarus.Of all foreign visitors, 79.3% stayed in Riga, 7.3% – in Jūrmala, 1.7% – in Liepāja, 1.6% – in Ventspils, 1.4% – in Sigulda county and 1.1% – in Daugavpils.

Number and changes in the number of foreign visitors (thsd.) at Latvian accommodation establishments, 2015 and 2016

In 2016, 730.0 thsd Latvian residents were hosted at tourist accommodation establishments, which was 9.8% more than in 2015, whereas the number of nights spent increased by 11.0%, reaching 1.37 mln.

The most popular destinations among Latvian residents were Riga (24.7% of visitors), Liepāja (8.2%), Jūrmala (7.7%), Ventspils (4.1%), Sigulda county (3.6%), Daugavpils (3.5%), Engure county (3.2%) and Kuldīga county (3.1%).

In 2016, 85.4% of visitors stayed at hotels and similar accommodation establishments, 11.1% chose guest houses and other short-stay accommodation, whereas 3.5% stayed at camping grounds and trailer parks.

Number of visitors hosted at accommodation establishments and number of nights spent

In 2016, 1.43 mln visitors were hosted at accommodation establishments of Riga, which was 7.1% more than during the previous year. The number of foreign visitors in Riga has grown by 7.0%. The majority of foreign visitors who came to Riga were from Germany (12.2%), Russia (11.9%), Estonia (7.9%), Lithuania (7.0%), Finland (6.8%), the United Kingdom (6.2%) and Norway (5.3%).

Over the 4th quarter of 2016, there were 462.3 thsd. visitors who stayed at hotels and other tourist accommodation establishments, which was 10.2% more than in the 4th quarter of 2015. The number of foreign visitorsgrew by 10.8%, amounting to 315.6 thsd, whereas the number of Latvian visitors increased by 9.2% in comparison to the respective period of 2015 and constituted 146.8 thsd.

In the 4th quarter of 2016, the majority of visitors hosted at tourist accommodation establishments came from Russia – 14.9%, Estonia – 11.2%, Lithuania – 10.3%, Germany – 8.0%, the United Kingdom – 6.1%. Finland – 5.8% and Norway – 5.6%.