The number of foreign tourists in Tallinn is on the rise and more than half of the city residents think that there should be more of them. From the point of view of the future of Tallinn's foreign tourism, it is important to invest in activities that increase the attractiveness of the city as a destination and to maintain a stable economic environment aimed at increasing competitiveness.

According to Tallinn Deputy Mayor Joosep Vimm, the city's goal is to develop tourism sustainably and by continuing targeted activities. “Tourism will definitely be boosted by the conference support measure, which will bring more conference tourists to the city and increase the city's competitiveness as a destination,” said Vimm. “As a result of two rounds of international conference support, we have supported 19 conferences with nearly 200,000 euros. In addition, we also support cultural and sports events that attract international attention from the city budget. We keep the marketing focus on nearby markets and destinations with direct connections.”

The results of a recent satisfaction survey of residents of Tallinn revealed that almost half of them think there could be more tourists in Tallinn than there are now. 59% of Tallinn residents support the increase in the number of tourists, 51% in Tallinn's old town in the summer months and 49% in their own district. 3-6% of Tallinn residents want the number of tourists to decrease. While during the Covid-19 crisis (2020 and 2021) the support for the increase in the number of tourists increased, in 2023, with restrictions related to travel decreased and the number of tourists on the rise again, the number of residents wishing to increase the number of tourists has also decreased.

94% of Tallinn residents who took part in the survey consider the influence of foreign tourists on various aspects of city life to be positive, while the greatest benefit from foreign tourism is seen on the economy and companies. According to the majority of Tallinn residents (83%), foreign tourists also have a positive impact on cultural life and leisure opportunities, the mood in the city and entertainment opportunities (80%), the protection and presentation of historical heritage (78%), the quality of life of Tallinn residents (71%) and the city's infrastructure (70%). Nearly 51% of Tallinn residents also see an increase in the benefits of foreign tourism on environmental protection and nature in the city, and 42% of the respondents also mentioned the cleanliness of public spaces.

“The first quarter of this year has started positively in the tourism sector and has been on course with 2019,” added Vimm. “This gives reason to be cautiously optimistic. The rapid inflation, the geopolitical situation and the state of the international economy still keep the tourism industry in a fragile state and unexpected factors can slow down growth. Regardless, we look at the tourist season with optimism and hope that more and more tourists will come to Tallinn both this year and in the following years.”

While the 2023 survey mapped estimates of the impact of foreign tourists, earlier surveys asked about the impact of tourism in general. Compared to 2021, the proportion of city residents who consider the impact of tourism on city life to be very positive has decreased. This change is evident in most evaluated aspects. However, the share of negative evaluations has not increased. Regarding certain aspects, negative evaluations have decreased compared to 2021 (environmental protection and urban nature and cleanliness of public space).

Compared to 2021, the share of city residents who see the impact of tourism on Tallinn as moderately positive has increased, but the share of city residents who consider the impact of tourism to be very positive has decreased.

From February to March, a total of 803 residents of Tallinn from ages 15 and up answered the survey conducted by Turu-uuringute AS via phone on behalf of the Tallinn Strategic Management Office.

The final report of the survey is available in Tallinn’s survey information system at https://uuringud.tallinn.ee/uuring/vaata/2023/Kultuur-liikumisharrastused-jaelukvaliteet-Tallinlaste-rahulolukusitlus2023.