In 2022, residents made more overnight trips around Latvia than before the pandemic

The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in 2022 Latvian residents went on 9.3 million same-day and overnight trips in Latvia, which is 12.2 % more than in 2021, and spent EUR 405.6 million, 35.6 % more.

Although the overall activity of Latvian residents in all types of trips has not yet reached the pre-pandemic levels, in 2022 it can be observed that willingness of residents to go on local tourism overnight trips strengthens and even exceeds the number of trips in 2019 by 13.1 %.

Same-day trips

In 2022, Latvian residents went on 6.5 million same-day trips, 9.8 % more than a year ago, but 18.3 % less than before the pandemic in 2019. Mostly residents went to Riga, which comprised 1.1 million trips or 16.8 % of all same-day trips.

Destination of 30 % of all trips made by residents was Pierīga region, where the most popular destinations were Jūrmala (7.6 %), and the following municipalities – Ogre and Sigulda (4.2 %), Tukums (3.5 %), Saulkrasti (2.8 %), Limbaži (2.0 %) and Ādaži (1.7 %). 16.9 % of trips were made to Kurzeme, where the most popular destinations were Ventspils (3.7 %), Talsi municipality (3.5 %), Kuldīga municipality (3.1 %) and Dienvidkurzeme municipality (2.2 %), as well as Liepāja (2.1 %) and Saldus municipality (1.6 %). Trips to Vidzeme comprised 13.7 %, where the most popular destinations were Cēsis (4.9 %), Valmiera (4 %) and Madona (2 %) municipalities. 11.7 % of trips were made to Zemgale, where the most popular destinations were Jelgava (2.9 %), and the following municipalities – Bauska (2.7 %), Jēkabpils (1.9 %), Aizkraukle and Dobele (1.7 %). On the other hand, 10.9 % of trips were made to Latgale, where the most popular cities were Daugavpils (3.1 %) and Rēzekne (2.5 %).

In total EUR 212.6 million were spent in same-day trips, which is 9.8 % more than a year ago. Most of the money was spent on transport (34 %), purchases (28.4 %), catering services (17.9 %), entertainment and cultural activities (6.4 %) and other expenses (13.3 %). Average daily expenditure of a same-day trip comprised EUR 32.9, an increase of EUR 9.8.

Women (55.5 %), residents aged 35- 44 years, residents with higher education (46.9 %) and employed (67.9 %) mostly went on the same-day trips around Latvia.

Overnight trips

The number of overnight trips around Latvia amounted to 2.8 million last year, which is 18.2 % more than in 2021. Riga regained the status of the most popular destination last year, its share increased by 2 percentage points and comprised 7.6 %. Most popular region destination the same as in same-day trips was Pierīga – 31.7 %, followed by Kurzeme (22.7 %), Vidzeme (14.8 %), Latgale (13.8 %) and Zemgale (9.4 %). Most often visited places were Liepāja (5.8 %), Jūrmala and Saulkrasti municipality (5.5 %), Limbaži municipality (5 %), Talsi municipality (3.9 %), Sigulda municipality (3.8 %) and Dienvidkurzeme municipality (3.5 %).

As COVID-19 pandemic and contact restrictions reduced, the most frequent purpose for overnight trips made by residents in 2022 was again visiting relatives and friends – 52.4 % of all trips made. This was followed by leisure (39.2 %), other personal (6.2 %) and business (2.2 %) purpose.

Last year passenger car or motorcycle was used in 87.3 % of trips (fall of 2.9 %, compared to 2021), 8.8 % of trips were made by bus (rise of 2.2 %) and 3.9 % – by other mode of transport or movement.

In domestic tourism trips personal means of transport were used the most, therefore only 12.9 % of trips required making a reservation or payment for the transport, which mostly or in 82.5 % was done in person at ticket offices or in a vehicle, and 17.5% of trips – using internet booking systems, for example, Pasažieru vilciens website pv.lv or the application, mobilly, etc.

In total 7.2 million nights were spent in domestic tourism trips in 2022, which is 9 % more than a year ago. Although the most frequently used accommodation is still dwelling of relatives or friends (55.6% of trips), its share still has not reached the pre-pandemic level (72 % of trips in 2019). With the beginning of the pandemic, staying in hotels and similar accommodations became more popular in 2020, share of which reached 17.3 % in 2022 (in 2019 it comprised only 10.7 %). In 16.6 % of trips nights were spent in summer cottages or second homes, 7.1 percentage points less than in 2021.

Last year, 51.2 % of trips with nights spent in rented accommodation were booked with a service provider, while in 48.8% of trips – using services of tour operators or travel agents, including collaborative economy platforms (e.g. Booking.com, AirBnB, etc.). Out of all reservations needed 55.7 % were made using automatic online booking systems or digital platforms.

Average length of a stay during a trip was 2.5 days – 0.2 days less than in 2021. Average of 2.2 days were spent in rented accommodation, in non-rented accommodation – 2.7 days.

Expenditure on overnight trips reached EUR 193 million last year, which is 18.2 % more than in 2021. Most of the money was spent on transport (27.5 %), accommodation (18.9 %), catering services (16.6 %), entertainment and cultural activities (5.2 %) and other expenses 31.8 %.

Average expenditure on domestic overnight trips last year comprised EUR 68.2, which has remained unchanged as compared to the previous year. Average expenditures per night comprised EUR 26.8, which is EUR 2.1 more than in 2021. Average daily expenditure when staying in rented accommodation was significantly higher, namely EUR 61.6, while staying in non-rented accommodation – only EUR 17.1.

The most (EUR 34.8) per night were spent by population aged 45–54 years, but the least (EUR 16.4) – by seniors aged 65 years and more.

Women (55.3 %), residents aged 35–44 years (24.5 %), residents with higher education (49 %) and employed (73.9 %) mostly went on overnight domestic tourism trips.

More information on tourism statistics is available on the Official statistics website section Tourism. Data are published in the database section Resident travellers.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666

More information on the data:
Ilze Timermane
Transport and Tourism Statistics Section
E-mail: Ilze.Timermane@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366740