Last year the number of tourists in accommodation establishments decreased

Economic crisis which inhibited the activity to travel around the world had a significant impact on the activities of accommodation establishments of Estonia. Compared to 2008, 4% less foreign tourists stayed in accommodation establishments. The number of tourists from Sweden decreased by a tenth, the number of tourists from Norway and Germany decreased 13% and 17%, respectively. Significant cultural events which took place in summer attracted tourists from the neighbouring countries to come to Estonia. A lot of tourists from Russia used the opportunity to spend the New Year's Eve in Estonia. In 2009 as total, 3% more tourists from Finland and 14% more tourists from Russia stayed in accommodation establishments than in 2008.

The domestic tourism was more influenced by economic crisis. The number of domestic tourists using the services of accommodation establishments decreased by 19% during the year.  The number of domestic tourists in holiday as well as in business trips decreased. In 2009, 767,000 domestic tourists stayed in accommodation establishments of Estonia, which was 8% less than three years ago, in 2006.

In December 151,000 tourists stayed in accommodation establishments — the number of foreign tourists increased 12% and the number of domestic tourists decreased 11% compared to December 2008.  689 accommodation establishments were available for tourists. The room occupancy rate was 30% and it was two percentage points less than in December 2008. The average cost of a guest night in an accommodation establishment was 429 kroons, which was 42 kroons cheaper compared to December 2008.

* The data for 2009 are preliminary.