In 2021 Latvian residents went on 512 thousand overnight trips abroad, which is 18.7% more than a year ago, however, compared to 2019, the number of these trips has reduced by 65.4%.
Most popular destinations of overnight trips abroad in 2021 were neighbouring countries Estonia (16.2%) and Lithuania (6%). Italy (7.7%), Germany (5.9%) and Poland (5.2%) also were among most popular destinations of Latvian residents, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Compared to 2020, expenditure of overnight trips abroad rose by 89.7% and reached EUR 345.2 million. On average travellers spent 9.1 night during the trip, 1.8 nights more than in 2020 and spent EUR 74.5 per day, which is EUR 16.3 more than a year ago.
Most of the money was spent on accommodation (32.3%), transport (28.4%), catering services (14%), entertainment and cultural activities (6.3%) and other expenses (19%).
Average expenditure per one tourism trip abroad last year comprised EUR 674, increasing by EUR 252.4 as compared to the previous year.
In 2021, 4.6 million nights were spent in trips abroad, which is 48.2% more than a year ago. 61.3% of nights travellers spent in rented accommodation or accommodation for fee, 38.7% of nights – in non-rented accommodation, mainly at relatives or friends (31.2%). Average length of stay in accommodation for a fee was 7.5 nights (increase of 1.3 nights), but in private accommodation – 13.5 nights (rise of 3.3 nights).
In 2021, compared to the previous year, the share of trips abroad by air increased by 18.5%, but the share of trips made by passenger car or motorcycle reduced by 9.9%. Share of trips by air increased also compared to 2019 – by 9.2%.
Women (50.5%), residents aged 35-44 years (28.8%), residents with higher education (61%) and employed (80.4%) went on overnight tourism trips abroad slightly more.