Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, Russia, Tourism
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Friday, 29.03.2024, 01:33
Russian tourists still keen on spending New Year's Eve in Estonia
"We expect mainly Finnish tourists during Christmas and
tourists from Russia at the end of the year. Interest in New Year's Eve remains
high and the level of demand is unchanged from last year," Vitali
Makejev, executive assistant manager at Radisson Blu Sky Hotel, told LETA/BNS.
He added that he estimates the hotel will be filled by over 90 percent at the
end of the year and in early January.
Urmas Oobik, head of foreign communications at Sokotel,
which represents the Solo Sokos Hotel Estoria and Original Sokos Hotel Viru
hotels, also told that Russian tourists are still interested in travelling to
Estonia. "Compared with last year, their numbers have increased this
year," he added.
Katri Link, head of communications at Tallink
Grupp, said that the number of visitors from Russia staying at Tallink
hotels for New Year's Eve has been around 2,500 in recent years. "We
estimate that the number of people arriving from Russia will remain unchanged
from last year and the year before that," Link told.
At Go Hotel Shnelli, Russian tourists made up over half of
all visitors during New Year's Eve last year. "This year will not be
outdone by last year and we hope that even more visitors will come from
Russia. Looking at the most demanded period, which runs from December 28 to
January 7, Russian tourists already account for over 60 percent of all
overnight stays," Alver Pupart, director of the hotel, told.
Maarika Liivamagi, managing director of the Estonian
Hotel and Restaurant Association, said that several events, hotel-based New
Year's Eve programs and the Christmas Market in Tallinn attract visitors from
neighboring countries to Estonia for Christmas and New Year's Eve.
"Hotels and restaurants are ready for reception. We
hope tourists will get here too, which is why the existence of connections is
of extremely critical importance," Liivamagi told.
As in previous years, due to increased demand during the
approaching period of year-end holidays, Estonian Railways will add
departures to the train service between Estonia and Russia.
However, flights between Tallinn and Moscow will likely
continue with the usual frequency during the holidays.
"Aeroflot has not notified us of additional
flights to date, and probably will not do it at such short notice," Margot
Holts, head of marketing and communication at the airport, told.