Analytics, Good for Business, Latvia, Tourism, Transport

Last year foreign travellers spent in Latvia 608.4 mln euros which is 62.5 mln euros or 11.5% more than a year ago.

Of all foreign travellers Latvia was mostly visited by travellers from Lithuania – 35.2%, from Estonia – 18.3%, from Russia – 9.9%, followed by travellers from Sweden – 5.9%, from Germany – 4.6%, from Poland – 4.0% and from Belarus – 3.3%.

Structure of the foreign travellers in breakdown by countries in 2013

Data source: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia

In 2013, foreign overnight travellers on average stayed in Latvia 4.6 days and spent 481.5 mln euros which is 9.9% more than in 2012.

69% of the foreign overnight travellers were accommodated in hotels or in other accommodation establishments, but 31% stayed at their relatives or friends. 31.5% of foreign overnight travellers came to Latvia for the first time.

Comparing the number of foreign overnight travellers with the previous year, it is obvious that the number of travellers from Russia increased by 22.0%, from Estonia – by 20.9%, from Norway – by 11.6% and from Finland – by 9.9%.

Analyzing the main purpose of the visit of foreign overnight travellers, 39.0% of foreign travellers mentioned recreation, 27.8% – visit to friends and relatives and 24.7% – business trip.

As compared to 2012, the number of foreign overnight travellers who mentioned visit to friends and relatives as the main purpose of the visit grew by 21.7%. Foreign overnight travellers from Russia, Belarus, Ireland and the United Kingdom mentioned visit to friends and relatives as the main purpose of the visit, but travellers from Estonia, Norway, Finland, Germany and Sweden – recreation.

To obtain information on Latvia, foreign overnight travellers use different sources. 27.8% of all travellers obtained information from the Internet, 19.6% – from relatives, friends and acquaintances, 16.0% – during their previous visits, 13.3% – from travel guides and mass media.

Out of all foreign overnight travellers who crossed the border of Latvia, 50.3% used air transport, 34.1% – motor transport, 9.3% –railway transport and 6.3% – sea transport.