MKM: Foreign tourists sustained tourism growth through the autumn season

TALLINN - According to Aleksandr Michelson, tourism advisor at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (MKM), although the number of domestic tourists decreased, a high number of foreign tourists helped maintain the growth trend.

From January to November 2025, a total of 6.17 million nights were spent in Estonian accommodation establishments with at least five beds, which was 0.6 percent more than in the same period a year earlier.

The growth came primarily from foreign visitors, whose overnight stays amounted to 3.48 million (+3.1 percent), while overnight stays by Estonian residents totaled 2.69 million (-2.4 percent). Domestic tourism remains at a very strong level, now accounting for nearly 44 percent of all accommodation nights.

According to Michelson, domestic tourism serves as a stable foundation, with the recovery of foreign markets adding to the growth.

In November 2025, 460,000 overnight stays were registered in accommodation establishments with at least five beds, which was 2.6 percent more than in November 2024. "The growing interest from foreign visitors is a good sign of a gradual recovery for the sector," Michelson added.

Overnight stays by foreigners increased by nearly five percent to about 254,000 nights, while stays by Estonian residents remained essentially at the same level, at around 206,000 nights.

In Tallinn, there were 254,000 overnight stays in November (+5.8 percent), and a total of 3.11 million from the beginning of the year to November (+3.3 percent).

According to Michelson, the growth indicates how city breaks, events, and business trips have helped to gradually smooth out seasonality. The picture is also positive outside the capital. "For example, in Saaremaa and Laane County, the number of overnight stays in November grew at a double-digit rate, which fits well with the trend of spas, weekend trips, and late autumn holidays."

The accommodation market supply is also trending upwards. In November 2025, Estonia's accommodation network had 22,168 rooms (+3.8 percent) and 50,807 beds (+3.5 percent). In Tallinn, the number of beds reached 20,327 (+7.9 percent) and the number of rooms 9,623 (+6.8 percent). This shows that investments and the role of larger-capacity accommodations are growing. Furthermore, November 2025 saw a historically record number of beds in Tallinn, a record level that has been consistently maintained since June 2025. The average price per person per night also rose moderately: 48 euros in Estonia (+2 percent) and 50 euros in Tallinn (+2 percent). "Occupancy rates in November remained modest, as is typical for the season, but the expanding supply creates better conditions for demand growth and will help accommodate a larger flow of tourists in the future," Michelson said.

The picture from foreign markets is encouraging and increasingly diverse. Finland remains the largest market (1.15 million nights from January to November), although it was down by approximately 4 percent. The price sensitivity of Finns and the cooling of Finland's economy continue to have an impact. At the same time, Latvia saw particularly strong growth (383,000 nights, +10 percent), and even +19 percent in November, which is consistent with the impact of short trips, good road connections, and targeted marketing.

"The growth in more distant markets is also sending positive signals," Michelson said. Growth was seen in the United Kingdom (+8 percent; +19 percent in November), the United States (+15 percent), and across Asia (+13 percent). "Improved air connections, Helsinki's strong hub status, an attractive events and cultural calendar, and Estonia's image as a compact, safe, and experience-rich destination are helping to attract more travelers from farther countries."

In summary, the period from January to November 2025 shows a stable and balanced pattern: domestic tourism keeps the sector stable, and the growth of foreign visitors provides new momentum - especially in the autumn season, where the November figures give reason to talk not only about recovery but also about a gradually extending tourism season.