No. 1, 02.01.2015
In January, the Foreign Visitors Survey focuses on tourists from Russia
Today, on 2 January, Statistics Estonia and Enterprise Estonia (EAS) will commence the
last round of the Foreign Visitors Survey at the border crossing points of Estonia. This
time, the focus will be on Russian tourists visiting Estonia.
The last round of the Foreign Visitors Survey takes place on 2–12 January and focuses on
foreign visitors arriving from Russia. “At Christmas, Russian tourists are an important clientele
for Estonian trade and catering enterprises,” explained Maiki Ilves, Deputy Head of the
Methodology and Analysis Department of Statistics Estonia. “In 10 days, we will interview
approximately 750 Russian tourists and ask them about their travel motivation, behaviour and
satisfaction,” Ilves noted.
According to Tarmo Mutso, Director of Enterprise Estonia’s Tourism Development Centre,
Russian tourists are very important for Estonia, as they like to travel to Estonia also in the low
season, eagerly consume what is offered and make a considerable contribution to the economy.
“With the interview round that is held in January, we wish to specify how Russian tourists arriving
in Estonia for New Year’s Eve differ from Russian tourists travelling in other periods with regard
to their preferences and expenses,” Mutso added.
Statistics Estonia’s interviewers interview foreign visitors at the airport and railway station in
Tallinn and at the border crossing points in Narva, Koidula and Luhamaa. The interviewers carry
an employment certificate that has been issued by Statistics Estonia and bears their photograph.
The Foreign Visitors Survey has been commissioned by Enterprise Estonia, who uses the
received data in providing input to the tourism sector. The information received from the survey
is also an important data source for Eesti Pank (central bank of Estonia) in calculating Estonia’s
income from tourism. In addition to Enterprise Estonia and the tourism sector, the data received
from the survey are also necessary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
and to local governments. For example, based on the survey data, it can be decided which new
tourist attractions, roads and border crossing points should be invested in.
Statistics Estonia organises the survey in co-operation with the Police and Border Guard Board,
and enterprises engaging in passenger transport.
The results of the survey will be published in spring 2015.
For further information:
Maiki Ilves
Deputy Head of Methodology and Analysis Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel: +372 6258 809