A positive aspect of the recession: room rates drop by 25-30%

Due to the economic crisis the number of British, Spanish, Finnish, Italian and Polish tourists who visit Palanga has decreased, yet the number of people coming from the other Baltic states and Russia has grown. Tourist information centres in Palanga are crowded with tourists, this Russian-language newspaper in Latvia writes. The most positive aspect of the recession, as well as a means for attracting tourists, are the low prices for various goods and services – prices in the hotel business have dropped by 25-30%.

In order to protest against the increased VAT rate in the accommodation sector, local hotels are organising a series of protest strikes. On July 5-6, Lithuania’s hotels and restaurants will turn of their lights to show their discontent. Then they may consider other measures.

 

Chas, 2009-07-02