Residents of Latvia made nearly 16 % more domestic trips in 2024

Central Statistical Bureau data show that the number of domestic trips made by residents of Latvia rose to 10.7 million in 2024, with expenditures increasing to 490.1 million euro – up by 15.9 % and 14.1 % respectively compared to 2023. Riga city, Cēsis municipality, Liepāja city, Limbaži and Talsi municipalities, as well as Jūrmala city were the leading destinations for domestic trips with overnight stay. For same-day trips, Riga topped the list, with Jūrmala, Cēsis, Tukums, and Talsi municipalities following it.

With 324.8 thousand trips made last year and spending reaching 126.9 million euro, participation of resident travellers in domestic tourism, for both same-day and overnight trips, has increased over the past five years –the number of trips has gone up by 3.1 % and expenditure by 34.9 % compared to 2019.

A total of 3.1 million domestic overnight trips were made by resident travellers in 2024 – 6.5 % more than the year before. Of these trips, 60.3 % were visits to relatives and friends, 32.3 % were trips made for holidays, leisure and recreation, 5.0 % for personal reasons, and 2.3 % for professional, business purposes.

Last year, Riga still took the lead as the most popular travel destination of domestic overnight trips, accounting for 9.9 % (an increase of 1.1 percentage points compared to 2023). As for regions, Pierīga was the most attractive and made up 24.6 % of the trips. It was followed by Kurzeme (19.7 %), Latgale (19 %), Vidzeme (17.4 %), and then Zemgale (9.5 %).

Among other destinations outside Riga, Cēsis municipality was visited by 5.4 % of resident travellers, Liepāja city by 5.2 %, Limbaži and Talsi municipalities by 4.4 % and 4.3 % respectively, Jūrmala city by 4.3 %, Daugavpils city by 3.7 %, Valmiera municipality by 3.4 %, and Tukums municipality by 3.4 %.

The number of tourism nights in domestic overnight trips totalled 7 million, which is the same figure as in 2023. In terms of accommodation, 57.4 % of the nights were spent in non-rented accommodation provided without charge by relatives or friends, 16.8 % in hotels and similar rented accommodation, and 19.2 % in own holiday homes or second residences.

The average duration of a domestic trip with an overnight stay was 2.3 nights, which is 0.1 nights fewer than a year ago. Resident travellers stayed for an average of 2.2 nights at rented accommodation and an average of 2.3 nights at non-rented accommodation.

As for expenditures, residents of Latvia spent 207.8 million euro on domestic trips with overnight stay (down by 3.2 %).  The largest share of it went on transport (27.8 %), followed by accommodation (19.6 %), food and drinks in cafés and restaurants (16.5 %), recreation, culture and sporting activities (5.0 %), and other goods or services (31.1 %).

The average expenditure per one trip was 67.1 euro (6.7 euro fewer than in 2023), and the average expenditure per one night was 29.6 euro (0.9 euro fewer). On average, expenditure per trip was higher for the trips with the main accommodation being rented – the average cost of trips spent at rented accommodation was 60 euro while of trips spent at non-rented accommodations 21 euro.

The highest expenditures per night were recorded in Kurzeme and Riga – 38.9 euro and 37.8 euro respectively. Vidzeme region follows with 31.7 euro per night, Latgale with 25.3 euro, and Zemgale with 24.0 euro. Resident travellers visiting Pierīga spent the least amount per night – 23.7 euro.

Most resident travellers making domestic overnight trips were women (55.3 %), people aged 35–44 (23.6 %), residents with tertiary education (52.5 %), and employed persons (76.1 %).

Regarding the modes of transport, motor vehicles were the most popular and were used for 85.3 % of all domestic overnight trips. This mode is followed by bus or coach which were used in 8.9 % of trips, railway used in 5.5 %, and other transport used in 0.3 %.

The number of domestic same-day trips reached 7.6 million – 20.1 % more compared to 2023. Of these trips, 96.8 % were made for personal reasons and 3.2 % for professional, business purposes.

Accounting for 1.4 million trips or 21.5 % of all domestic same-day trips, Riga was the main travel destination.  Pierīga region was the destination of 29.6 % of the trips, with the majority of resident travellers visiting Jūrmala (9.2 %), Tukums municipality (4.8 %), Sigulda municipality (4 %), Limbaži municipality (3.4 %), and Saulkrasti municipality (3 %).

Among other regions, Kurzeme was the destination of 15.7 % of the trips, with the majority of travellers heading to Talsi municipality (4.2 %), Liepāja city (3.9 %), Kuldīga municipality (3.8 %), and Ventspils city (3 %). Trips to Vidzeme made up 13.5 %, with the most popular travel destinations in Cēsis (4.8 %), Valmiera (4.1 %), and Madona municipalities (3%). Zemgale was the destination for 12.4 % of trips, with Bauska municipality taking the lead (3.4 %), and Jelgava city and Dobele municipality following it (3.2 % and 2.6 % respectively). Latgale region was the least popular destination (11 %), with most travellers visiting Daugavpils city (3.1 %) and Rēzekne city (2.3 %).

When looking at expenditures, resident travellers spent 282.3 million euro on domestic trips without overnight stay (up by 31.4 % compared to 2023). The greatest proportion of it was spent on transport (30.7 %), followed by durables and valuable goods (27.4 %), food and drinks in cafés and restaurants (19 %), recreation, culture and sporting activities (9 %), and other goods and services (13.9 %). The average expenditure per one domestic same-day trip was 36.9 euro (3.1 euro more than in 2023).

The majority of resident travellers making same-day trips within Latvia were women (54.8 %), people aged 35–44 (21.7 %), residents with tertiary education (45.4 %), and employed persons (68.2 %).

Additional data for resident travellers is available in the database section Resident travellers, and more tourism statistics is available in the official statistics portal section Tourism.

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

More information on data:
Laura Kļaviņa
Environmental Statistics Methodology Section
E-mail: Laura.Klavina@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366826