Estonia’s tourist numbers on the rise

TALLINN, Estonia – According to Statistics Estonia, 131,700 foreign tourists and 77,800 domestic tourists used the services of accommodation establishments in November 2013. The total number of tourists increased 7% compared to November 2012.

In November 2013, compared to November 2012, the number of foreign tourists who used the services of accommodation establishments increased by 8%. 76% of foreign tourists arrived from the neighbouring countries Finland, Russia and Latvia. The number of tourists from Russia increased 22% compared to November 2012, the number of tourists from both Finland and Latvia increased 11%. Foreign tourists preferred to stay in the accommodation establishments of larger cities of Estonia. In November, 77% of foreign tourists who used the services of accommodation establishments stayed in the accommodation establishments of Tallinn, 5% in the accommodation establishments Pärnu and Tartu each. More than two-thirds of foreign tourists arrived in Estonia for holidays and a quarter were on a business trip.

In November 2013, 6% more domestic tourists stayed in accommodation establishments than in November 2012. More than a half of domestic tourists were on a holiday trip and one-third on a business trip. The most preferred destination was Tallinn: one- fifth of domestic tourists using the services of accommodation establishments stayed there. 13% of domestic tourists stayed in the accommodation establishments of Pärnu and 11% in those of Tartu. Compared to November 2012, the preferred destinations have not changed for domestic tourists.

In November, 853 accommodation establishments offered services for tourists. 18,100 rooms and 40,600 beds were available for tourists. The room occupancy rate was 41% and the bed occupancy rate was 32%. In Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu the room occupancy rate and the bed occupancy rate were higher than the Estonian average.