Estonia records 8 percent rise in foreign tourist stays

The number of overnight stays by foreign tourists in Estonia rose by 8 percent in the first five months of the year, ERR reported. Tourism promoters are optimistic about the full-year results, but businesses remain cautious because costs have increased and fewer large events are drawing visitors this year.

Estonian accommodation establishments recorded 2.32 million visitors in the first five months, including 1.3 million foreign visitors, said Orvika Reilend, tourism head at EIS. She said May showed strong growth and expected the summer figures to be positive.

The number of tourists arriving from Poland and Latvia has increased compared with previous years. Tourism promoters also say more visitors are travelling beyond Tallinn, particularly those arriving from farther away, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. These tourists also tend to stay longer.

Tourists’ interests vary by nationality. Latvian visitors often travel to Pärnu and Estonia’s islands, while German tourists are interested in scenic natural areas. Estonia’s nature, bog hikes and sauna culture are also popular, Reilend said.

Tallinn’s Old Town, a historic city district, was crowded on Sunday, but restaurant owners said the apparent activity was misleading. The streets become quiet soon after cruise ships leave the port.

Visitors who come into the city may rest, buy water, use the toilets and have a drink, coffee, tea or a small meal, said Vello Leitham, owner of Kehrwieder. However, they return to their ship in the evening and do not stay in hotels, he said.

Businesses have not performed better despite the more pleasant weather this summer. Leitham said businesses were weaker than last year and were now aiming to match the previous year’s result despite higher wages, taxes and input costs.

Tauri Sumberg, a board member of Legend Hotels, said Estonia’s tourism growth was modest compared with the rest of Europe. He attributed part of the difference to the smaller number and scale of large events in Tallinn this year.

Sumberg said Estonia needed better air connections to develop tourism. Visitors interviewed by ERR said Estonia was not too expensive and that its summer climate was pleasant.

Tourists from the United States said they wanted to stay overnight but had to return to their cruise ship after arriving in Tallinn. A visitor from South Korea said prices were more affordable than in Helsinki, while a German tourist said the cooler summer weather was attracting more interest in Estonia and the Nordic countries.