Travel and tourism in Latvia - statistics & facts
Latvia has become an emerging player in the tourism industry, drawing both domestic and international travelers with its unique blend of affordability and unconventional appeal. Latvia's reasonably priced amenities and rich cultural offers have contributed to a steady increase in international visitors. Consequently, the capital, Riga, was voted the sixth-most preferred travel destination in Europe in 2024. The country's tourism sector plays a significant role in its economy, with rising holiday and leisure travel expenditure.
Despite the economic fluctuations during the pandemic, the tourism industry in Latvia holds strong potential for recovery and future expansion. The sector appeals to visitors with its relatively low prices compared to other European destinations, as well as unique attractions.
Domestic and outbound travel
Riga stands out as the primary destination for domestic tourism, attracting over one million same-day trips by residents in 2023. Following closely is Jurmala, a popular Baltic Sea resort city, which drew approximately 446,600 same-day trips. Despite these figures, domestic tourism participation remains relatively low at about five percent of the population. In contrast, international travel is more popular among Latvians, with roughly one-quarter of the population embarking on personal trips abroad for four nights or longer in 2022. In total, Latvian tourists made over 1.7 million overnight trips abroad in 2023, roughly 30 percent more than in the previous year.Inbound tourism
Regarding inbound tourism, Latvia's biggest international markets in 2023 were its Baltic neighbors. Lithuania and Estonia contributed significantly, with approximately 260,000 and 180,000 visitors, respectively. Other leading source markets included Germany, Finland, and the United Kingdom (UK). The total expenditure of inbound tourists in Latvia was expected to increase continuously between 2024 and 2029 and reach over 2.1 billion U.S. dollars in that year.Despite the economic fluctuations during the pandemic, the tourism industry in Latvia holds strong potential for recovery and future expansion. The sector appeals to visitors with its relatively low prices compared to other European destinations, as well as unique attractions.
