The city of Tallinn is one of the locations of interest visited by tourists in Estonia

Tourism in Estonia refers to the overall state of the tourism industry in the Baltic nation of Estonia. It is a key part of the country's economy, contributing 7.8% to its GDP, and employing 4.3% of its population.[1] In 2018, tourism and other related services counted for over 10.8 percent of Estonia's exports. Tourism is increasing rapidly in Estonia: the number of tourist arrivals—both domestic and international—has increased from 2.26 million in 2006 to 3.79 million in 2019.[2] Estonia was also ranked the 15th-most safest country to visit in 2017, according to safedestinations.com, scoring 8.94 out of 10 on their list.[3] In a 2018 report published by the OECD, they concluded that most international tourists come from places like Finland, Russia, Latvia, Germany, and Sweden.[1]

National tourism in Estonia is managed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (Estonian: Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium), which works closely with the national tourist agency, the Estonian Tourist Board. In 2014, the Government of Estonia announced the National Tourist Development Plan, a project meant to invest 123 million euros into the Estonian travel industry,[4] meant to last until 2020. After 2020, when the plan ended, the Ministry announced a new plan starting from 2021 and ending in 2024, entitled the "Tourism Programme 2021–24", with help from the Ministry of Education and Research.[5]

In the context of tourism in general, Estonia, along with other Baltic states, is considered a newly-freed Eastern Bloc nation with a rich history and untouched nature.[6] Popular destinations in Estonia include the national capital of Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, and Saaremaa, of which the Old Town in Tallinn is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, Estonia is also a popular destination for foreign students: 5,528 students from external countries studied in Estonia, mostly from neighboring countries, but also occasionally from places like Azerbaijan, Nigeria, and India,[7] comprising 12.2% of all students in Estonia.[8]

History

International arrivals in Estonia[9]
Year Number of tourists
1995 530,000
1996 665,000
1997 730,000
1998825,000
1999950,000
20001,220,000
20011,320,000
20021,362,000
20031,462,000
20041,750,000
20051,917,000
20061,940,000
20071,900,000
20082,222,000
20092,180,000
20102,511,000
20112,823,000
20122,957,000
20133,111,000
20143,160,000
20152,961,000
20163,131,000
20173,245,000

The land in what is known as Estonia has historically had a long tradition of seafaring and trade dating as far back as the Hanseatic League.[10]

Early years: Mid 19th century–1945

The history of modern tourism in Estonia dates back to the mid-19th century, when it was part of the Russian Empire. Various holiday resorts where established in the area during that time. These resorts were built primarily for the bureaucrats and wealthy of St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other Russian cities. After World War I and the October Revolution, Estonia became an independent nation in 1918. The Estonian Society Of Tourists, an organization dedicated to the promotion of domestic and international tourism in Estonia, was formed in 1920, and in 1930, the Central Management Office of Tourism was established hereafter to aid it.[10]

Post-War and Soviet years: 1945–1991

After Estonia's incorporation into the Soviet Union, its economy went through incredible change to adapt it to the communist ideology of the Soviets. Compared to other parts of the Soviet Union, Estonia was much more developed as a result of having been independent previously, and so the Soviets made use of this to develop various high-tech industries in Estonia.[11] With the help of organizations like Intourist and substantial investment by the Soviet government, the Estonian tourism industry gradually revived. By the 1970s, Tallinn was the 5th-most popular place to visit for visitors to the Soviet Union. [12]

Post-Soviet years: 1991–present

The Estonian tourism industry has developed rapidly since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, fuelled by the reopening of borders, the reinstatement of freedom of movement laws, and growing interest in Estonia as a tourism destination.[13][14] The creation of the Estonian Tourist Board in 1990 to help implement new government policies for tourism in Estonia was also another major factor in all of this. By 1995, tourism services accounted for 20% of Estonia’s total exports.[15] The Great Recession temporarily halted Estonian tourism growth, but since then the industry has been growing: the share of tourism had increased to 5% in the economy by 2016.[16]

Government funding, planning and organization

Government funding for tourism is usually carried out via approval of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and is then relayed to the Estonian Tourist Board. Tourist funding is outlined in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), first drawn up in 1998 as part of a wider strategy to grow the Estonian economy, along with the Tourism Act (Turismeadus) adopted in 2000. The NTDP has been continually revised; the most latest revision was in 2014.[10]

In 1996, Estonia was divided into 4 main tourism regions: Tallinn (Old City), North (Baltic Sea), South (cultural heritage) and West (islands and coastal scenery). In the 1990s, most hotel providers were in Tallinn with 25% of all hotels and 49% of all beds.[10]

Rural tourism

Rural tourism in Estonia is also growing in Estonia at a rapid pace, particularly among Japanese tourists.[17] In 2014, 31% of foreign tourists in Estonia were nature tourists.[18] Most rural tourism in Estonia are small businesses that offer accommodation, food, and holiday services.[19] Like much of tourism in general, rural and nature tourism saw massive increases after Estonia's independence from the Soviet Union in 1990,[14] along with the privatization of previously state-owned farms.[20][21] Tourism farms are most common in the Võru County.[22][23]

Threats to tourism

"Vodka tourism"

"Vodka tourism"[24] is a fast-growing industry in Estonia. Estonia has had a long history of vodka manufacturing since the 1700s, and it is considered one of the traditional vodka-producing countries, along with its neighbours.[25] After the introduction of a passenger ferry service between the cities of Helsinki and Tallinn in 1968, "vodka tourism" started to emerge,[26] as Finns often travelled to Estonia to get cheaper alcohol.[27] However, many Estonians have also travelled to neighbouring countries, especially Latvia, to get even cheaper alcohol. This has cost the Estonian government around €30 million in 2017, and the Ministry of Finance has stated that if it continues, it may cause a €20 million "budget hole".[28] Additionally, vodka tourism has also caused a negative reputation for Estonia as a tourism destination.[29]

Impact of COVID-19

Due to safety and quarantine measures enacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the decrease in flow of tourists from China was said to have impacted Estonian tourism, despite Chinese visitors counting only 1% of all international tourists in Estonia.[30] On 27 September 2021, the Estonian government announced new regulations for travellers entering it: only travellers from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and the Vatican City were allowed to enter without any restrictions.[31]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Estonia: Tourism in the economy". oced.org. 2020. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. ↑ "Number of arrivals in tourist accommodation in Estonia from 2006 to 2019 (in millions)". Statista. 2021. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021.
  3. ↑ "Rankings of Safest Countries For Travel". safedestinations.com. 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021.
  4. ↑ Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Republic of Estonia (18 June 2019). "Tourism | Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications". Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021.
  5. ↑ Ministry of Education and Research, Republic of Estonia (21 October 2019). "Strategic planning from 2021–2035". Ministry of Education and Research (Estonia).
  6. ↑ Cottrell, Stuart; Cottrell, Jana Raadik (2015). "The State of Tourism in the Baltics". Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality & Tourism. Taylor & Francis. 15 (4): 321–326. doi:10.1080/15022250.2015.1081798. S2CID 155121200.
  7. ↑ "Statistics: International Students at Estonian Universities in 2020". studyinestonia.ee. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021.
  8. ↑ "Statistics: Over 5,500 foreign students study in Estonia". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 27 May 2020. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021.
  9. ↑ "Estonia – International tourism, number of arrivals". Index Mundi. 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Tooman, Heli; Müristaja, Heli (1 December 2014). "Developing Estonia as a positively surprising tourist destination". European Tourism Planning and Organisation Systems: 106–117. doi:10.21832/9781845414344-012. ISBN 9781845414344 – via ResearchGate.
  11. ↑ Aun, Carol (Summer 1996). "Economic Developments and Tourism Opportunities in Estonia". Journal of Baltic Studies. 27 (2): 95–132. doi:10.1080/01629779600000011. JSTOR 43212029 – via JSTOR.
  12. ↑ Jaakson, Reiner (July 1996). "Tourism in Transition in Post-Soviet Estonia". Annals of Tourism Research. 23 (3): 617–634. doi:10.1016/0160-7383(95)00113-1 – via Elsevier Science Direct.
  13. ↑ L. Slocum, Susan; Klitsounouva, Valeria (2020). Tourism Development in Post-Soviet Nations. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. All. ISBN 978-3-030-30715-8.
  14. 1 2 Ruukel, Aivar; Reinmann, Mart; Tooman, Heli (24 January 2020). "Rural Tourism as a Tool for Sustainable Development: Lessons Learned in Estonia". Tourism Development in Post-Soviet Nations. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 15–29. ISBN 978-3-030-30715-8.
  15. ↑ Kallas, P (2002). "Eesti turism 1999–2002: turismiuuringute ja sihtturgude ülevaated". Ettevõtluse Arendamise Sihtasutus (in Estonian).
  16. ↑ "The Estonian Economy- Tourism: can the success be sustained?" (PDF). Swedbank. 9 September 2016.
  17. ↑ Hannele, Suvanto; Lea, Sudakova; Kaili, Kattai; Grīnberga-Zālīte, Gunta; Bulderberga, Zane (2017). Japanese tourists in Finland, Estonia and Latvia – a literature review. University of Helsinki. ISBN 978-951-51-0444-1.
  18. ↑ Roosild, Kristiina (2017). "PREPAREDNESS OF ESTONIAN NATURE TOURISM COMPANIES TO OFFER THEIR SERVICES TO FOREIGN VISITORS" (PDF). Estonian University of Life Sciences: 1–79.
  19. ↑ T., Pliving; Kull, T.; Suškevics, M; Viira, A.H (July 2019). "The tourism partnership life cycle in Estonia: Striving towards sustainable multisectoral rural tourism collaboration". Tourism Management Perspectives. 31: 219–230. doi:10.1016/j.tmp.2019.05.001. S2CID 182722171.
  20. ↑ Unwin, Tim (January 1997). "Agricultural restructuring and integrated rural development in Estonia". Journal of Rural Studies. 13 (1): 93–112. doi:10.1016/S0743-0167(96)00053-8 – via ScienceDirect.
  21. ↑ Alanen, Ilkka (2004). Mapping the Rural Problem in the Baltic Countryside: Transition Processes in Estonia, Latvia And Lithuanai. Routledge. ISBN 9781351153263.
  22. ↑ Võsu, Ester; Kaaristo, Maarja (March 2009). "An Ecological Approach to Contemporary Rural Identities: The Case of Tourism Farms in South-East Estonia". Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics. III (1): 73–94 – via Central and Eastern European Online Library.
  23. ↑ Järv, Risto; Kaaristo, Maarja (2012). "Our Clock Moves at a Different Pace: The Timescapes of Identity in Estonian Rural Tourism". Folklore: Electronic Journal of Folklore (51): 109–132 – via Central and Eastern European Online Library.
  24. ↑ Juhani-Suttinen, Ville (18 January 2021). "On the rocks: how vodka tourism shattered decades of Soviet-Finnish relations". The Calvert Journal.
  25. ↑ Kennedy, Stephanie (14 July 2007). "Vodka war divides Europe". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  26. ↑ McKenzie, Brent (2016). "Vodka Tourism in Estonia: Cultural Identity or Clearly Commerce?". Travel and Tourism Research Association. 70 – via University of Massachusetts Amherst.
  27. ↑ Josing, Marje (2006). "Estonian alcohol market and alcohol policy". Nordic Studies on Alcohol & Drugs. 23 (6): 482–486. doi:10.1177/145507250602300607. S2CID 158538574 – via SAGE Publishing.
  28. ↑ Ruuda, Lennart (30 January 2018). "Vodka tourism damage greater than thought". Postimees Group.
  29. ↑ McKenzie, Brent (2014). "The Development of Trail Tourism: Vodka and Manor Houses in Estonia" (PDF). Proc. of the Intl. Conf. On Advances in Social Science, Economics and Management Study: 1–2.
  30. ↑ Wright, Helen (3 March 2021). "Coronavirus outbreak to impact Estonian tourism sector in 2020". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021.
  31. ↑ "Travel restrictions for arrivals to Estonia from September 27". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 25 September 2021.
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