Analytics, Baltic States – CIS, Covid-19, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Tourism

In 1^st quarter of 2020, the number of foreign visitors comprised 255.1 thousand, which is 15.5% less than in the 1^st quarter of last year, but the number of nights spent by foreign visitors has decreased by 12% and comprised 542.6 thousand nights. The majority of foreign visitors came from Russia (60.7 thousand), Lithuania (29 thousand), Estonia (25.9 thousand), Germany (17.2 thousand), United Kingdom (16 thousand), Finland (9.5 thousand), Sweden (8.8 thousand) and Norway (8.3 thousand).

Out of foreign visitors 48.1% or 122.7 thousand came from neighbouring countries – Russia (23.8%), Lithuania (11.4%), Estonia (10.2%) and Belarus (2.8%).

In the 1^st quarter of 2020 there was an increase in the number of visitors from Russia (of 4.6%), but decrease was observed in the number of visitors from Norway (of 33.3%), Germany (of 30.8%), Finland (of 29%), Estonia (of 26.9%), Netherlands (of 26.9%), Canada (of 26.8%), Japan (of 25.8%), Sweden (of 25.2%) and other countries.

The largest share of foreign visitors stayed in Riga (83.2%), Jūrmala (6.8%), Daugavpils (1.6%), Liepāja (1.5%), Mārupe county (1%), Sigulda county (0.9%), Rēzekne and Valmiera (0.5%). 

In the 1^st quarter of 2020, 144.4 thousand Latvian visitors were hosted at Latvian tourist accommodation establishments and that is 8.7% less than during the 1^st quarter of 2019; number of nights spent has reduced by 7.2% and amounted to 273.3 thousand.

Latvian visitors stayed mostly in Riga (32.3%), Jūrmala (14%), Liepāja (8.3%), Daugavpils (4.9%), Sigulda county (3.3%), Ventspils (2.4%) and Rēzekne (1.9%).

Number of visitors hosted and nights spent at accommodation establishments

In March 2020 the number of foreign and resident visitors comprised 79.6 thousand, which is 53.6% less than in March 2019. As compared to March of the previous year, the number of nights spent by visitors has reduced by 48.4% and comprised 175.1 thousand nights.

In March of this year the number of foreign visitors comprised 44.5 thousand, which is 60.9% less than in March of last year, but the number of nights spent by foreign visitors has decreased by 56.9% and comprised 99.9 thousand nights.

In March 2020, 35.1 thousand Latvian visitors were hosted at tourist accommodation establishments, which is 39.1% less than in March 2019. The number of nights spent by resident visitors has reduced by 29.9% and comprised 75.2 thousand.

Number of visitors hosted and nights spent at accommodation establishments in the first three months of 2020*

*Data were revised taking into account additional information acquired from enterprises. All information available on activity of accommodation establishments in Latvia from January to the end of March was compiled – both from those who continued their work after March 12 and from those who temporarily discontinued their work after the declaration of emergency situation in the country due to COVID-19 pandemic.