Travel to the Baltic States is Becoming More Popular: Here’s Why

While Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are tiny, they pack a cultural punch, drawing more and more tourists to visit these historically and culturally rich countries. In fact, over 115,000 British tourists visit Estonia alone every year. 

While the war between Russia and Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted tourism slightly, the outlook from the last decade still trends upwards, putting the Baltic States on the map as a European tourist destination. 

Here’s how the Baltic States transformed into a place on the travel bucket list and how they can continue this income-generating trend. 

Culture

Because of their small size, the Baltic States are often overlooked as the cultural heavyweights they really are. But from political history to cultural traditions, there are many new experiences for tourists to explore during their visit. 

The Baltic States suffered at the hands of political misfortune in the 20th century, and the remnants of these events are heavily documented across the three countries. Whether visitors are on the lookout for war relics, memorials, or social history museums, the Baltic States have them in abundance. History buffs looking for an in-depth look into how these countries experienced Nazi and Soviet occupations will be met with plenty of opportunities to hear authentic stories from Baltic residents. 

And that’s not all. The States’ distinctive architecture is a key draw for many visitors, not to mention the contemporary and traditional art galleries that adorn the capital cities of these three countries. 

Natural Beauty

The Baltic States may be naturally flat, but they’re certainly not lacking in beautiful view points and natural phenomena. From golden sandy beaches to picturesque lakes, large swathes of forest, and wetlands rich with natural wildlife, there are few places in Europe with such a varied and attractive landscape. 

What’s more, thanks to the low population density (especially compared to countries like the UK), you get a lot of nature per person. Because there are fewer humans in natural spaces, many animals have found their homes here, so you’re likely to see a huge variety of bird species as well as deer and even the occasional wolf. 

Three Distinct Identities

While each of the Baltic States are closely connected both culturally and geographically, they each provide visitors with their own distinct experiences. This makes for an excellent road trip, where tourists can go to all three states in a short space of time while enjoying three distinct countries, traditions, dishes, and lifestyles.

Business

Unike European countries such as the UK and Germany, the Baltic States haven’t been considered heavyweights in the world of business. But as the economies grow, this outlook is changing. 

In an increasingly digital world with 16% of companies working fully remotely, companies based in Western Europe, the US, and Asia are looking further afield for a skilled workforce. From marketing agencies to mRNA LNP companies, outsourcing skills is on the rise. 

Central Europe is home to skilled workers in all types of sectors, including software development, graphic design, and pharmaceutical production.

Not only does this increase the number of visitors flocking to the Baltic States for business, but it also increases the number of offshoring and outsourcing companies based in these countries.  

Final Thoughts

Paris and London aren’t budging off the top spots for tourism any time soon, but the Baltic States are undergoing an undeniable tourism revolution. 

As flights get cheaper, travel becomes more accessible, and tourists show an increased interest in exploring less frequented parts of the world, the travel industry is set to undergo a boom in the Baltic States, promising more jobs, a stronger economy, and a more significant spot on the world’s cultural radar.