Tourism in Riga is steadily renewing and increasing in volume: 69,406 foreign visitors were welcomed in January by the capital of Latvia, and it is by 34% more than in January of last year. Information summarised by Riga Tourism and Investment Agency (RITA) shows that the rapid increase in the number of tourists was boosted by visitors from the Scandinavian countries.
“Riga strengthens its place among the popular tourism destinations of Europe, and the latest data confirm increase in the number of tourists. Despite the external factors affecting the sector of tourism since 2019, including COVID pandemic and the war started by Russia in Ukraine and despite constantly disseminated myths, Riga has purposefully worked in our target markets in the Western European countries, Scandinavia and elsewhere achieving the results in replacing the flow of tourists previously coming from agressor countries. Riga is the most significant tourism centre in Latvia, and we will continue our investments in developing tourism,” emphasised Vilnis Ķirsis, the Chairman of the Riga City Council.
Jānis Priede, the Director of Radisson Blu Latvia Conference & Spa Hotel Sales and Marketing: “The latest statistical data show that the intensity of load on hotels in Latvia has increased this January in relation to the same period of the last year. There is also a small increase in intensity of load in comparison to 2019. We explain this increase in our hotel with separate successfully implemented projects related to accommodation of larger groups. However, not only the intensity indicators are significant, but also the average price for a hotel room which is still lower than it was in 2019. We think that it can still be explained with lower demand of business group segment due to geopolitical factors. However, we are actively working together with the local partners to strengthen the regional image as a safe and attractive destination. A week ago, our hotel in cooperation with RITA and LIAA held a forum which was significant for the sector gathering organisers from association segment events and conferences from across the whole world. It allowed us to present Riga as a safe and high-quality destination for international events.”
The most visitors to Riga came from Lithuania: 8,911 visitors. Estonia took the second place with 8,745 visitors, which is an increase by more than 50% in comparison with the last year. The Great Britain placed third with 6,883 visitors and an increase of 33%. The number of visitors from Germany was 4,589 in January, achieving an increase by 18%; and 3,450 visitors arrived in Riga from Finland, an increase by 41% in comparison with previous data.
The highest rate of increase was observed in the number of visitors from Denmark, skyrocketing by 90%; number of visitors from Norway increased by 75%, from Sweden – by 43%, from Finland – by 41%, and from Estonia – by 50%.
Foreign visitors spent a total of 123,626 days in Riga, an increase of 35% in comparison with the relevant period of the previous year. The largest number of days spent was registered from Lithuania, 13,867 days, and 14,019 days from Estonia. Visitors from the Great Britain spent 12,635 days, and German tourists – 8,707 days. French tourists spent 3,066 days in Riga.
Riga successfully adapts to the global changes in tourism sector as the previously dominant Russian tourists forming 15-30 % depending on the season are now replaced with visitors from the Western countries.
Fredis Bikovs, Director of Riga Investment and Tourism Agency: “Thanks to tourism duty, the marketing budget of Riga has increased, allowing us to implement the city marketing activities with more purpose and efficiency. We see that campaigns bring results as shown by interest from the international media, visits of opinion leaders and the stable positions of Riga in the international tops. We will strategically keep up the started work, implementing upgraded and dynamic campaigns that make Riga more attractive to tourists and investors. Our task is not only to increase the number of tourists but also attract solvent visitors actively supporting the local economy. Therefore, we will continue our support for large events, such as Rimi Riga Marathon, Positivus, Eurobasket, etc. At the same time, thanks to such newly created events of culture such as Riga Art Week and Riga Art Fair, we create new content strengthening the image of culture and art in Riga, promoting the international recognition of the city. We will also continue our work on conference support programme.”
Information was prepared by Mārtiņš Vilemsons, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, phone: +371 26007509, email: martins.vilemsons@riga.lv.