According to data from the Latvian Central Statistics Office, the number of inbound leisure travellers fell by 0.3 percent in the third quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2007; on business by 4.6 percent. The number of leisure trips totalled 4.7 million, out of which 3.5 million were one-day trips (without spending a night in accommodation), 1 million were short trips (1-3 days) and 0.2 million trips lasted for four or more days. The most popular destinations were Riga and Jurmala; 16.1 percent of all leisure trips were to the capital. Financial conditions (43 percent), lack of time (18 percent) and lack of interest (16 percent) are cited in the article as the reasons preventing people from travelling.

 

Dienas Bizness, 2009-01-07