According to the provisional data of Statistics Lithuania, in II quarter 2012, accommodation establishments received 527.2 thousand tourists, or by 10.9 per cent more than in the same quarter of 2011. The number of tourists from the EU countries increased by 5.8 per cent, Lithuanian residents – 10.9 per cent, tourists from non-EU countries – by 21.4 per cent. 200.2 thousand tourists arrived from the EU, 113.9 thousand – from non-EU countries.
The majority of foreign tourists were from Germany – 48.2 thousand (in II quarter 2011, 41.4 thousand), Russia – 46.2 thousand (in II quarter 2011, 32.2 thousand), Poland – 43.7 thousand (in II quarter 2011, 49.5 thousand), Belarus – 25.3 thousand (in II quarter 2011, 23.3 thousand), Latvia – 20.5 thousand (in II quarter 2011, 16.9 thousand), Finland – 12.2 thousand (in II quarter 201, 11.8 thousand), Estonia – 11.1 thousand (in II quarter 2011, 10.6 thousand), and the United Kingdom – 10.4 thousand (in II quarter 2011, 9.2 thousand).
In II quarter 2012, a quarter of tourists stayed in the accommodation establishments of the resort towns: Druskininkai received 62.5 thousand tourists, which is by 15.2 per cent more than in II quarter 2011, Palanga – 52 thousand (by 20.6 per cent more), Neringa – 12.8 thousand (by 13.7 per cent more), Birštonas – 7.2 thousand (by 16.3 per cent more).
Over the first half-year 2011, accommodation establishments received 853.9 thousand tourists
In January–June 2012, accommodation establishments received 853.9 thousand tourists, or by 12.2 per cent more than in the same period of 2011; the number of foreigners amounted to 484 thousand (by 11.8 per cent more).
Table 1. Number of tourists in accommodation establishments
| Number of tourists, 2012, thousand | Compared to the same period of the previous year, growth, drop (-), % | |||||
| total | residents | foreigners | total | residents | foreigners | |
| All accommodation establishments | ||||||
| II Q | 527.2 | 213.1 | 314.2 | 10.9 | 10.9 | 11.0 |
| I half-year | 853.9 | 370.0 | 484.0 | 12.2 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| of which: | ||||||
| Hotels and guesthouses | ||||||
| II Q | 422.5 | 144.1 | 278.4 | 12.3 | 14.6 | 11.2 |
| I half-year | 693.7 | 264.1 | 429.6 | 14.0 | 16.6 | 12.4 |
| Rest establishments | ||||||
| II Q | 21.6 | 20.6 | 1.0 | 10.2 | 10.9 | -0.9 |
| I half-year | 25.9 | 24.8 | 1.1 | 11.1 | 12.0 | -6.1 |
| Sanatoriums and rehabilitation centres | ||||||
| II Q | 26.1 | 18.5 | 7.6 | -0.5 | -1.7 | 2.8 |
| I half-year | 49.9 | 36.2 | 13.7 | 1.1 | -1.2 | 7.6 |
In II quarter 2012, the number of tourists accommodated in hotels and guesthouses amounted to 422.5 thousand
In II quarter 2012, compared to same quarter of 2011, Lithuanian hotels and guesthouses accommodated by 12.3 per cent more tourists; the number of foreign tourists accommodated increased by 11.2 per cent. The number of rooms in hotels and guesthouses totalled 12.5 thousand (in II quarter 2011, 11.4 thousand), the number of beds – 25.6 thousand (in II quarter 2011, 23.3 thousand). The hotel and guesthouse room occupancy rate stood at 48.1 per cent (in II quarter 2011, 47.4 per cent), the bed occupancy rate – 37.2 per cent (in II quarter 2011, 35.5 per cent).
In II quarter 2012, Vilnius hotels and guesthouses accommodated 196.5 thousand tourists, which is by 8.7 per cent more than in the same quarter of 2011; the number of foreign tourists amounted to 166.1 thousand, or by 9.4 per cent more. In II quarter 2012, the room occupancy rate of Vilnius hotels and guesthouses stood at 66.2 per cent (in II quarter 2011, 63.3 per cent), the bed occupancy rate – 51.1 per cent (in II quarter 2011, 48.1 per cent).
In the first half-year 2012, Lithuanian hotels and guesthouses accommodated by 14 per cent more tourists
In the first half-year 2012, hotels and guesthouses received 693.7 thousand tourists, or by 14 per cent more than in the same period of 2011; the number of foreigners amounted to 429.6 thousand (by 12.4 per cent more).
Diagram 3. Hotel and guesthouse room and bed occupancy rates
Concepts
Accommodation establishment refers to a local kind-of-activity unit providing paid short-stay accommodation services and facilities to satisfy overnight accommodation and hygiene needs.
Number of tourists accommodated includes Lithuanian residents and foreign visitors with at least one overnight stay in an accommodation establishment.
Statistical information on accommodation establishments for III quarter 2012 is due on 23 November 2012.
This is splendid news; I am well travelled and knowledgeable about the world. For reasons I cannot fathom I was always interested in the Baltic nations; I knew just enough to respect their culture, history and courage. I suppose I was the 1/100 Irish / British who could at least find the Baltic States on a map without hesitation.
Nevertheless, when a former relationship obliged me to go there I was horrified by my perception of this grey post-Soviet backwater. Within 24-hours every prejudice I had evaporated; I was enchanted.
My dilemma is; do I keep the countries’ charms to myself or do I share my enchantment with the world. Never mind see Sorrento and you will always be drawn to going back. See the charms of this region and your return is guaranteed over and over again.