In 2021 Latvian residents went on 8.3 million trips in Latvia, which is 34.6 % more than in 2020 and spent EUR 299 million, 46.6 % more.
Of which 5.9 million were same-day trips, which is 23% more than a year ago. Mostly (35.2%) residents went to Pierīga, where the most popular destinations were Jūrmala (9%), Sigulda municipality (4.1%), Tukums municipality (3.1%), Saulkrasti municipality (3.0%), Engure municipality and Ogre municipality (2%), according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Trips to Vidzeme comprised 16.2% (most popular destinations were Cēsis county – 4.8% and Valmiera – 2.4%), to Kurzeme – 14.9% (most popular destinations were Kuldīga municipality – 2.7%, Ventspils – 2.4% and Liepāja – 2.1%), to Zemgale – 13% (most popular destinations were Jelgava – 2.6% and Bauska municipality – 2%), Riga – 11.6% and Latgale – 9.1% (most popular destination was Daugavpils – 2.4%).
In total EUR 135.8 million were spent in same-day trips, which is 5.7% more than a year ago.
Most of the money was spent on transport (37.1%), purchases (24%), catering services (17.6%), entertainment and cultural activities (5.6%) and other expenses (15.7%). Average daily expenditure of a same-day trip comprised EUR 23, a decrease of EUR 3.8.
The number of overnight trips around Latvia amounted to 2.4 million last year, which is 75% more than in 2020. Share of Riga as a destination reduced by 2.5 % and comprised only 5.6 %. Most popular destination the same as in same-day trips was Pierīga – 27.5%, followed by Kurzeme (25.5%), Vidzeme (17.9%), Latgale (16.2%) and Zemgale (7.3%). Other most often visited cities and municipalities were Liepāja (7.5%), Jūrmala (4.2%), Ventspils municipality, Salacgrīva municipality, Saulkrasti municipality (3.3%) and Burtnieki municipality (3.2%).
In 2021 residents travelled the most (53.5%) for recreation (the share rose by 10.9%, compared to 2020). Visits to friends and relatives was the purpose in 38.3% of trips, as the share fell by 8.7%. 8.2% of trips were made with another personal or business purpose.
Last year passenger car or motorcycle was used in 90.2% of trips (increase of 2.7%, compared to 2020), 6.6% of trips were made by bus (fall of 1.3%) and 2.7% – by train (drop of 1.4%).
In total 6.6 million nights were spent in domestic trips, which is 61.7% more than a year ago.
Even though, mostly or in 43.5% of trips travellers stayed at relatives or friends, its share has dropped by 5.9%, compared to 2020, and by 28.6%, compared to 2019. In turn, share of trips with overnight stays in summer cottages has grown by 7.3%, compared to 2020, and by 17%, compared to 2019. In turn, share of trips with overnight stays in hotels and similar establishments has grown by 0.6%, compared to 2020, and by 5.8%, compared to 2019.
Average length of a stay during a trip was 2.8 days – 0.2 days less than in 2020. Average of 2.4 days were spent in rented accommodation, in non-rented accommodation – 2.9 days.
Expenditure on overnight trips reached EUR 163.3 million last year, which is 2.2 times more than in 2020. Most of the money was spent on accommodation (26.5%), transport (24%), catering services (17.1%), entertainment and cultural activities (4.6%) and other expenses (27.8%).
Average expenditure on domestic overnight trips last year comprised EUR 68.3, increasing by EUR 13 as compared to the previous year.
Average expenditures per night comprised EUR 24.7, which is EUR 6.2 more than in 2020. The most (EUR 37.9) per night were spent by population aged 25–34 years.
Women (55.5%), residents aged 25–34 years (21.6%), residents with higher education (49.3%) and employed (73.1%) mostly went on overnight domestic tourism trips.