Summary of Vilnius tourism statistics for the first quarter of 2009 According to the data of the Department of Statistics, during the first quarter of 2009 (January, February and March), a total of 89 964 guests stayed in all Vilnius collective accommodation establishments where they spent 171 516 nights. When compared to the same period in 2008, the number of guests and nights decreased by 21 per cent and 19 per cent respectively. During the first quarter of 2009, 82 455 guests stayed in Vilnius hotels and guest houses, which is 19 per cent less than during the same period in 2008. From them 20 378 were Lithuanians and 62 077 foreign guests. 75,3 per cent of all the guests who stayed in Vilnius hotels and guesthouses were foreigners, most of whom were Russians – 14,9 per cent. Poles took second place – 13,1 per cent. The guests from Latvia were third – 8,3 per cent. Tourists from Germany were fourth (7,2 per cent) and Belarusians were fifth (7 per cent). Compared to the same period in 2008, guests from foreign countries decreased by 10,8 per cent. Countries, from which Vilnius hotels and guest houses received the biggest number of guests in the first quarter of 2009, were the following: Russia – 9 236 (3,9 per cent more than in the first quarter of 2008); Poland – 8 106 (0,2 per cent less); Latvia – 5 168 (5,9 per cent less); Germany – 4 444 (6,9 per cent less); Belarus – 4 344 (31,5 per cent more); United Kingdom – 3 419 (39,9 per cent less); Finland – 3 352 (18,2 per cent less); Estonia – 2 446 (35,9 per cent less); Sweden – 2 337 (3,3 per cent less); Norway – 1 811 (33,8 per cent less). Big decrease of Lithuanians in Vilnius hotels and guest houses had a big impact to the total decrease of guests. During the first quarter of 2009, as compared to the same period in 2008, the number of guests from other Lithuanian cities and settlements to Vilnius hotels and guests houses decreased by 37,2 per cent. In total, 20 378 Lithuanians were received in Vilnius hotels and guests houses in the first quarter. Indexes of room and bed occupancy in Vilnius hotels have decreased. In the first quarter of 2009, room occupancy reached 32,9 per cent, whereas during the same period in 2008, the indicator was 42,3 per cent. Bed occupancy in Vilnius hotels in the first quarter of 2009 reached 22,4 per cent, while during the same period in 2008 the indicator was 29,6 per cent. The biggest room and bed occupancy during the first quarter of 2009 was in March.
VILNIUS CIT Y MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT T OURISM AND PROMOTION DIVISION, 2009
During the first quarter of 2009, the biggest flow of tourists to Vilnius hotels and guests houses was in May. At that period 29 024 guests stayed in Vilnius hotels and guest houses, out of which 76,7 per cent were foreigners and 23,3 per cent Lithuanians. According to the data of the Department of Statistics, during the first quarter of 2009, the number of tourists decreased in all Lithuanians accommodation establishments. Compared with the same period in 2008, the number of guests decreased by 22 per cent – from 281 012 to 219 062 guests. The number of tourists decreased not only in Lithuania. According to the preliminary data of World Tourism Organization (WTO), the number of tourists is decreasing in most of world countries. During the first two months of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008, international tourism arrivals decreased by 8 per cent. The number of tourists was growing only in North Africa, Central and South America.
VILNIUS CIT Y MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT T OURISM AND PROMOTION DIVISION, 2009