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Tourism in Estonia

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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. 4.3% of its population are employed in the tourism industry.[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 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.

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".

Popular destinations in Estonia include the national capital of Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, and Saaremaa, of which the Old City 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,[5] comprising 12.2% of all students in Estonia.[6]

History

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.

Early years: 1918-1945

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.[7] However, World War II stifled any and all tourism for over 6 years until 1945.

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 us of this to develop various high-tech industries in Estonia.[8] With the help of organizations like Intourist, the Estonian tourism industry gradually revived. By the 1970s, Tallinn was the 5th-most popular place to visit for visitors to the Soviet Union.[9]

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 and the reinstatement of freedom of movement laws. 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.[10] The Great Recession temporarily halted Estonian tourism growth, but since then the industry has been growing.


References

  1. ^ "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. September 10, 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. ^ "Statistics: International Students at Estonian Universities in 2020". studyinestonia.ee. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Statistics: Over 5,500 foreign students study in Estonia". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 27 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Tooman, Heli; Müristaja, Heli (1 December 2014). "Developing Estonia as a positively surprising tourist destination". European Tourism Planning and Organisation Systems: 106–117 – via ResearchGate.
  8. ^ Aun, Carol (Summer 1996). "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS AND TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES IN ESTONIA". Journal Of Baltic Studies. 27: 95–132 – via JSTOR.
  9. ^ Tooman, Heli; Müristaja, Heli (1 December 2014). "Developing Estonia as a positively surprising tourist destination". European Tourism Planning and Organisation Systems: 106–117, page 3 used – via ResearchGate.
  10. ^ Kallas, P (2002). "Eesti turism 1999–2002: turismiuuringute ja sihtturgude ülevaated". Ettevõtluse Arendamise Sihtasutus (in Estonian).
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