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Estonia Tourist Board reports a 90% increase in British and Irish visitors in the first half of 2011, with a 96% increase in overnights spent in the country. So far 30,353 guests have spent 35,893 nights in Estonia, an increase of 14,347 British and Irish visitors during the same period in 2010, and 7715 more than in 2008 which was a record year for incoming British and Irish visitors to Estonia.
A major contributing factor to the growth is the dramatic increase in direct flying routes with four new Ryan Air routes launched for 2011 from Luton, East Midlands, Dublin and Edinburgh, a new easyJet route from Liverpool to Tallinn in addition to its existing route from Stansted and a sixth new Ryan Air route from Manchester to Tallinn due to start operating in April 2012. These supplement the national carrier, Estonian Air’ four times weekly summer flights from Gatwick.
The country has also benefitted from the heightened international awareness of the capital city, Tallinn, which this year is a European Capital of Culture and is hosting over 7000 cultural events.
Tarmo Mutso, Director of the Estonian Tourist Board in Tallinn said; “Estonia and the capital city Tallinn appeal greatly to British and Irish guests for our great variety of historical and cultural activities, the unspoilt countryside, national parks, attractive towns and villages, beautiful beaches and spa resorts which draw in city break guests, birdwatchers, walkers, hikers, water sports enthusiasts and those looking for peace and relaxation.
The number of direct flying routes into Estonia from the UK has greatly helped facilitate travel to Estonia and has also enabled many British and Irish guests to come to Estonia to enjoy the Capital of Culture programme during 2011. We anticipate visitor numbers to continue at this level at least throughout 2012 and welcome further growth in numbers of visitors flying from Manchester airport.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
