Number of Foreign Tourists in Estonia Increased Significantly in March

According to Statistics Estonia, the country’s accommodation establishments served more than 192,000 in March, which is 276 per cent more than in the same period last year, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

Helga Laurmaa, an analyst at Statistics Estonia, explained that of the total number of tourists, around 77,000 of them were foreign tourists, and 116,000 of them were domestic tourists.

Laurmaa emphasised that even though the country did not reach the pre-pandemic levels, the number of tourists set a new record.

“The number of foreign tourists did not yet reach the pre-pandemic level, but it was only 38 per cent smaller than that. In March 2021, there were just 8,700 foreign tourists. The number of domestic tourists set a new record, just like in January this year,” the statement of Laurmaa reads.

Compared to March 2021, Estonia saw an increase mainly in the number of tourists from European countries as well as from those from countries outside the EU.

The biggest number of tourists that visited Estonia in March came from Finland (almost 23,000) and Latvia (more than 16,000). In addition, the office shows that there were nearly 6,000 tourists from Russia, another 3,000 tourists were from Lithuania, and 3,000 of them were from Germany.

As for the accommodation, it has been explained that 72 per cent of the foreign tourists were accommodated in Harju county, 11 per cent of them were accommodated in Pärnu county, 7 per cent were accommodated in Tartu county, and 4 per cent were accommodated in Ida-Viru county. Tourists from abroad spent a total of 157,000 nights in Estonia.

Statistics Estonia further reveals that in March 2022, there were 909 accommodation establishments open for tourists, which is 12 establishments more than last year. In addition, it was noted there were 19,900 rooms and 45,700 bed places available for guests. The room occupancy rate was 34 per cent.

“The average cost of a guest night was €37 per person, which is €11 more than in March 2021 and one euro higher than in March 2019. The average cost of an overnight stay per person was €44 in Lääne-Viru county, €41 in Tartu county, €39 in Valga county, €38 in Harju and Ida-Viru counties, and 33 euros in Pärnu county,” Statistics Estonia added.

Estonia is expected to register even higher figures in the upcoming months as the country has already lifted all the entry rules for travellers from the EU/EEA