11.08.2011

The number of visitors staying in Estonian accommodation establishments in the first half of 2011 beat by 10 percent the decade's record dating from the first half-year of 2008, Statistics Estonia reported.

Close to 1.2 million foreign and domestic visitors stayed in accommodation establishments in the first six months of 2011 - 15 percent more than in the same period last year.

The figure of foreign visitors reached nearly 800,000, or one-fifth more than in the first half of 2008, which was the record year of the past decade.

The most popular destination, unsurprisingly, was Tallinn, which provided hospitality for 75 percent of the foreign visitors who checked into accommodation establishments during their stay.

Compared to the first half of 2010, more visitors arrived from all main travel partner countries of Estonia – from Finland, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Latvia and the UK. Visitor figures from the UK and Russia increased the most, 90 percent and 50 percent, respectively.

The number of domestic visitors staying in accommodation establishments, 400,000, was 11 percent up from the first half of 2010 but still less than in the same period of 2007 and 2008. Harju and Pärnu counties are still the favorite destinations for inland holidaymakers and business travelers.

In June, there were 1,074 accommodation establishments available for visitors in Estonia. The average room occupancy rate was 50 percent, with Tallinn, Pärnu and Tartu all registering above-the-average rates. The average cost was 29 euros per person per night, which is 8 percent more compared to June 2010 but over 10 percent cheaper than in June 2008.

Source: http://news.err.ee