Estonia has become a popular tourist destination in Northern Europe and expanded its travel industry over the past decade. The country offers a range of experiences, from the historic streets of its capital, Tallinn, to the shores of the resort city of Pärnu.
, bringing increased spending and economic impact, while Estonian residents themselves explore both local and nearby international destinations.
Economic impact of tourism
The tourism sector has shown substantial growth, with
inbound visitors spending approximately 1.2 billion euros in 2022, a threefold increase from the previous year. International tourism contributed positively to Estonia's economy, with
inbound tourism revenue surpassing outbound expenditure. Compared to Latvia, where 86 percent of tourism expenditure is leisure-related,
Estonia's spending is more balanced, with business travel making up nearly 30 percent of the total.
Travel accommodation in Estonia
Estonia boasted 1,307
travel accommodation establishments in 2023, a slight decrease from the previous year.
Holiday and short-stay establishments dominated the market with over 900 locations, while camping grounds, recreational parks and trailer parks were limited to just 10.
Foreign tourists showed a clear preference for Tallinn, accounting for 68 percent of their overnight stays, followed by Pärnu at 12 percent.
Inbound tourism trends
Inbound visitor numbers in Estonia have been rising at a steady rate. While total
tourist accommodation arrivals marked an over-six-percent increase in 2023, those by
foreign visitors grew by 13.6 percent. Finnish visitors are the
primary source of inbound tourism, having accounted for 862,000 overnight visits in 2022. Latvia and Germany are other notable source markets.
Industry outlook
Estonia's tourism industry is set for sustained growth between 2024 and 2029.
Outbound tourism expenditures will increase by a remarkable 42 percent, while
international tourism receipts are expected to rise by 15.4 percent. Declared European Capital of Sport for 2025, Tallinn will host various sports events in that year, including the European Figure Skating Championships in January and the International Children's Games in August. As a result,
inbound visitor numbers are projected to climb.
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