The first half year was modest for accommodation establishments

The number of tourists decreased from Estonia’s all main tourism partner countries. The number of tourists from Finland decreased less than the average (by 4%). The economic downturn has also affected travelling of the tourists arriving from more distant countries. Compared to the first half of the previous year, the number of tourists from Australia, China, Japan and the United States of America staying in accommodation establishments decreased. Only the number of tourists from Russia increased 13%. In the first half of 2009, the total number of foreign tourists staying in accommodation establishments was more than half a million. 348,000 Estonian residents or one fifth less than at the same time of the previous year stayed in accommodation establishments. Thus, the number of domestic tourists in accommodation establishments was a a bit smaller than in the first half year of 2006.

The average cost of a guest night in an accommodation establishment was 449 kroons, which was 47 kroons (9%) cheaper compared to the first half of the previous year and seven kroons cheaper than in the first half of 2005.

In June 221,000 tourists used the services of accommodation establishments. The number of foreign tourists decreased 12% and the number of domestic tourists decreased 21% compared to June 2008. 959 accommodation establishments with 19,100 rooms and 43,300 beds were available for tourists. The room occupancy rate was 40% being by seven percentage points lower than in June 2008. The average cost of a guest night in an accommodation establishment was 444 kroons, which was 12% cheaper compared to June of the previous year. The average cost of a guest night was the highest in Tallinn (542 kroons), but here too the average cost of a guest night was by 112 kroons cheaper compared to June of the previous year.

Accommodation by regions, June 2009