Analytics, Financial Services, Latvia, Society, Tourism

Latvian residents go on same-day trips around Latvia 3 times more than on overnight trips

In 2017, Latvian residents went on 9.6 million same-day trips around Latvia, which is 5.1% more than a year ago. In 27.5% Pierīga region was selected as main destination, which was followed by Riga – 21.0%, but less often by Latgale – 11.8%. Similar to 2016, in 2017 most popular destination of same-day trips was Riga (21.0%) and Jūrmala (8.1%). In total EUR 232.1 million were spent in same-day trips, which is 7.0% more than a year ago. Average expenditure per same-day trip amounted to EUR 24.2.

The number of overnight trips around Latvia amounted to 2.9 million last year, which is 4.2% less than in 2016. 80.6% of trips were made by passenger car or motorcycle. Latvian residents also travelled by bus (14.5%) and by train (4.4%). In 17.2% of trips rented accommodation or accommodation for a fee was used. Of which 11.1% were booked at tour operators or travel agents, but 66.1% were booked by travellers themselves at service provider. 41.2% of bookings were made using automatic booking systems on the Internet.

Destinations of Latvian residents in overnight and same-day trips around Latvia, in 2017 (as per cent)

Main reason for domestic tourism trips since 2012 is for visiting relatives and friends, share of which continued to increase and reached 59.7% in 2017.

By demographic indicators women (51.6%), residents aged 25–34 years (29.8%), residents with secondary education (46.5%) and employed (73.2%) mostly went on domestic tourism trips.

Seniors (aged 65 years and more) went on 0.3 million trips (10.6% out of all), staying 3.6 days (more by 1.2 days than average indicator) and spending EUR 47.8 (average EUR 45.2) during the trip and EUR 13.2 (average EUR 18.8) per day.

The total expenditure during overnight trips around Latvia reached EUR 133.0 million, which is 19.5% more than in 2016. Most of the money was spent on transport (27.2%), accommodation (17.4%), catering services (15.0%) and other expenses (40.2%). Average expenditure on domestic tourism trip in 2017 comprised EUR 45.2, increasing by EUR 9.0 as compared to the previous year. Average expenditure per day comprised EUR 18.8, which increased by EUR 3.4 as compared to 2016.

In 2017, 7.1 million nights were spent in domestic tourism trips, which is 2.3% less than a year ago. Most of the nights or 79.2% were spent at private accommodation, of which 55.7% at homes of relatives and friends. 20.8% of nights were spent at hotels, campsites, rehabilitation centres and other accommodation for fee.

Average length of a trip in 2017 was 2.4 days. The longest stay since 2012, in 2017 was at hostels and rehabilitation centres, where on average 7.3 days were spent, but in summer cottages – 4.8 days.

Main destinations in overnight trips around Latvia were Riga (10.0%), Ventspils (5.2%), Limbaži county (4.6%), Jūrmala (4.5%), Liepāja (4.4%), Saldus county (3.4%), Daugavpils (2.9%), Talsi county (2.5%) and Jelgava (2.5%). Cities under state jurisdiction were selected as the main destination in 33.9% of all trips.

Residents go abroad mostly for recreation

In 2017, Latvian residents went on 0.8 million same-day trips abroad, which is 14.7% more than a year before. Latvian residents went on most of their overnight trips to Lithuania (73.4%) and Estonia (20.2%). Total expenditure on trips increased by 40.2%, reaching EUR 43.7 million. The average expenditure per same-day trip abroad amounted to EUR 55.3, which is EUR 10.1 more than in 2016.

Last year Latvian residents went on 1.3 million overnight trips abroad, which is 1.2% more than a year before. 43.2% went on trips abroad by plane, but 34.9% by passenger car or motorcycle. Residents also travelled abroad by bus (12.8%) and water transport (7.0%). Most popular reasons for trips abroad since 2012 is recreation (60.3%) and visiting friends and relatives (23.4%).

Journey forms or package holidays were purchased in 20.1% of trips. In 67.5% of trips rented accommodation or accommodation for fee was used. Of which 31.9% were booked or paid at tour operators or travel agents, but 47.7% were booked by travellers themselves. 58.3% of bookings were made using automatic booking systems on the Internet.

By demographic indicators women (55.3%), residents aged 35-44 years (26.0%), residents with higher education (54.8%) and employed (77.8%) mostly went on trips abroad.

Seniors (aged 65 years and more) went on 87.0 million trips (6.9% out of all), staying 7.2 days (more by 1.8 days than average indicator) and spending EUR 333.2 (average EUR 412.6) during the trip and EUR 46.0 (average EUR 76.4) per day.

The total expenditure during overnight trips abroad reached EUR 522.1 million, which is 21.4% more than in 2016. Most of the money was spent on transport (32.7%), accommodation (29.4%), catering services (17.3%), entertainment and cultural activities (7.0%) and other expenses (13.6%). Average expenditure on overnight trip abroad in 2017 comprised EUR 412.6, increasing by EUR 68.6 as compared to the previous year. Average expenditure per day comprised EUR 76.4, which increased by EUR 18.3 as compared to 2016. The largest expenditure per day comprised EUR 114.3 in trips with stay in a hotel, resort hotel, motel or guest house, but the smallest – EUR 24.9 when staying in summer cottage.

In 2017, 6.8 million nights were spent in trips abroad, which is 7.7% less than a year ago. Average length of the stay was 5.4 days. Shorter stay was spent in rented accommodation or accommodation for a fee– 4.6 days, but longer – in private accommodation or accommodation for free – 7 days.

In 2017 most popular destinations of trips abroad were to neighbouring countries Estonia (13.7%), Lithuania (12.1%), Russia (6.7%) and Belarus (6.0%), comprising 38.6% of all trips. Germany (11.7%) and Sweden (6.3%) also were among most popular destinations of Latvian residents.

Number of overnight trips abroad and changes by country of destination in 2016 – 2017, thousand

More information on tourism statistics is available in the CSB website section Tourisms - Key Indicators.The data are published in the Tourism section of the CSB database (annual statistical data).