Increasingly Positive Developments in Latvia's Travel Industry
**Boom in Tourism: Latvia Sees Significant Increase in Foreign Visitors in May 2025**
Latvia has witnessed a surge in tourism, with a notable increase in the number of foreign visitors in May 2025. According to recent data, the country welcomed a total of 196.3 thousand arrivals at tourist accommodation establishments, marking an 8.8% year-over-year increase.
The top destinations for non-resident tourists in May 2025 were:
1. Riga - 77.4% of non-resident visits, maintaining its position as the clear favourite among foreign travellers. 2. Jūrmala - 6.1% of non-resident visits, the country’s premier seaside resort town. 3. Mārupe municipality - 3.5% of non-resident visits, thanks to its proximity to Riga International Airport and suburban appeal. 4. Liepāja - 2.1% of non-resident visits, a historic port city on the Baltic coast. 5. Sigulda municipality - 1.5% of non-resident visits, known for its national parks and adventure tourism. 6. Cēsis municipality and Ventspils - 1.2% each, both offering medieval charm and natural beauty.
While Riga dominates, smaller cities and resort areas also show notable, though much smaller, shares of non-resident tourism.
The overall net occupancy rate of bedrooms in hotels and similar accommodations in Latvia was 47.5% in May 2025, up by 4.4 percentage points compared to May 2024. Riga alone saw an occupancy rate of 60.8%, a 4.5 percentage point increase from the previous year.
Non-resident visitors spent a total of 276.1 thousand nights at the establishments in May 2025, an increase of 13.3% compared to May 2024. The average duration of stay for non-resident visitors in May 2025 was 1.8 nights, the same as in May 2024.
Most resident travellers were accommodated in Riga (30.6%), followed by Jūrmala (9.8%), Liepāja (6.5%), Cēsis municipality (4.5%), Daugavpils (4.1%), Kuldīga municipality (3.4%), Valmiera municipality (2.9%), and Sigulda municipality (2.8%).
The data suggests a clear recovery or growth trend in Latvian tourism, with Riga continuing to be the country’s main draw for international visitors.
Travelers visiting Latvia in May 2025 are drawn to the country's diverse lifestyle offerings, with Riga being the top destination, accounting for 77.4% of non-resident visits. Aside from Riga, smaller cities and resort areas such as Jūrmala, Mārupe municipality, Liepāja, Sigulda municipality, Cēsis municipality, Ventspils, and others, also attract a significant number of foreign travelers, reflecting the appeal of Latvia's unique lifestyle and travel experiences.
