Number of Accommodated Tourists in Estonia Climbs 5 Percent on Year

Altogether 160 000 domestic and foreign tourists stayed in the accommodation establishments of Estonia during February, 5% more than in February 2012, Statistics Estonia said on Wednesday. The number of domestic tourists and foreign tourists alike increased.

The number of foreign tourists that used the services of accommodation establishments was 91 000, 6 000 tourists or 7% more than in same month a year ago. Most of the foreign tourists, or 87%, stayed in accommodation establishments of Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu. Respectively 7%, 10% and 9% more foreign tourists stayed in the accommodation establishments of these cities than a year ago.

As usual, more than half of the foreign tourists were Finns and the number of Finns in accommodation establishments increased 19% compared to February 2012. Russian tourists staying in accommodation establishments numbered 16 000, marking an increase by one-fourth over the same month a year ago. The number of tourists from Latvia decreased. Also the number of tourists from Sweden, Germany and Norway declined.

Of the clients of accommodation Establishments, 43% were domestic tourists. In all 69 000 domestic tourists used the services of accommodation establishments, over 2 000 more than in February 2012.

In February 835 accommodation establishments with 17 000 rooms and 38 000 bed spaces were available for tourists. There were nearly 900 more bed spaces available than in February 2012. The room occupancy rate was 35% and the bed occupancy rate 28%. Compared to February 2012, the room occupancy rate decreased by one percentage point. The bed occupancy rate in large accommodation establishments, or establishments with 100 or more rooms, was 41%, significantly higher than the Estonian< average.

The average cost of a guest night in an accommodation establishment was 30 euros, two euros more than in February 2012.