The number of foreign tourists in accommodation establishments increased

In January compared to the same month of the previous year, significantly more tourists from Russia (37%) and Finland (11%) stayed in accommodation establishments. In December-January many tourists from Russia come to Estonia to see the New Year in. The number of tourists from Russia using the services of accommodation establishments is significantly larger in December-January than in summer, the high season of tourism. In January the share of Russian tourists in the total number of foreign tourists using the services of accommodation establishments accounted for one fifth. Compared to January of the previous year, the number of tourists from other main partner states of tourism — from Latvia, Sweden, Lithuania, the United Kingdom and Norway — decreased.

The using of accommodation services among the Estonian residents was not as popular as in January of the previous year. The number of Estonian residents using the services of accommodation establishments decreased by one fifth. The number of tourists on business trip decreased 29% and the number of tourists on holiday trip 5%.

In January 2009, the total of 112,000 tourists stayed in accommodation establishments. Compared to January of the previous year, the number of tourists decreased 6%. In January 717 accommodation establishments offered accommodation services for tourists. 16,200 rooms and 34,600 beds were available for tourists. The room occupancy rate was 27%, staying two percentage points lower than in January of the previous year. The average cost of a guest night in an accommodation establishment was 451 kroons, which was by 5 kroons more expensive compared to January 2008.

Accommodation by regions, Januar y 2009