Letts spend fewer lats abroad; men travel more

RIGA (BNS) - Latvians traveling abroad have spent there 39 million lats ($63.82 million) in the second quarter of 2000, down 7 million lats from the same period year-on-year, the Central Statistics Bureau reported.

But compared to foreigners spending in Latvia, Latvians have spent nearly twice as much abroad. Foreigners spent 20 million lats in Latvia in the second quarter of the year.

Latvians had been most frequently traveling to Lithuania with 44 percent of travels made to that destination. From all foreign travels 19 percent were made to Estonia, 18 percent to Russia and 9 percent to Belorusia.

In Lithuania, Latvians spent 16 million lats, in Russia 7 million lats, in Germany 3 million lats. The statistics office said though the spending of Latvians in all these countries has decreased.

From Latvians traveling abroad, 43 percent cited shopping as the reason for their travel, 23 percent cited visiting friends or relatives, 18 percent cited business and only 10 percent cited holiday visits.

Latvians spent on average 25 lats daily while traveling abroad. For those who named shopping as the goal of their travel, the daily spending averaged 155 lats. The statistics office said 60 percent of all Latvians traveling abroad were men.