According to information compiled by the Daugavpils Tourist Information Centre, the total flow of visitors to Daugavpils tourist attractions, culture and recreational establishments increased in active tourist season. Daugavpils was visited by 284 336 visitors from May, 1st to September, 30th, which is 8% more than in the same period of 2017.
The majority of visitors or 81% were residents of Latvia, indicating a significant role of domestic tourist flow in Daugavpils. The highest number of foreign visitors was registered from Lithuania, Russia and Poland. Daugavpils was visited by the travelers from Belarus, Germany, Great Britain, Estonia, USA, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and other countries.
Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre was the most visited tourist attraction this season. The number of visitors to the centre was 58 963, which is 8% more than in 2017. The number of visitors to the Daugavpils Fortress Culture and Information Centre and the first coastal lunette with a guardroom increases constantly, for instance, the attendance rose by 6% this season. The interest in visiting Daugavpils Fortress is growing, but Latgale Zoo, Daugavpils Local Science and History Museum, “Zinoo” Science and Curiosity Centre, Lead Shot Factory, Shmakovka Museum and other places are no less visited.
A significant part of visitors of the Daugavpils Tourist Information Centre (TIC) were residents of Latvia – 7,930 people, the number of foreigners was 3,827 people. The main range of questions that were asked at the centre: free information leaflets and tourist maps, information about attractions and souvenirs. Visitors were curious about the places to eat and stay, as well as events to attend. Besides, the demand for active leisure activities and information about the bicycle routes was greater than before. This season, 85 tourist groups booked city tours while visiting Daugavpils, including sightseeing tours with a tram “Daugavpils through tram windows” and “City on the bank of the river Daugava” with a raft or boat.
Some of the most noticeable trends that were observed among visitors to Daugavpils in summer season: the majority of residents of Latvia have spent their holidays within the country and traveled to the regions, so the residents of Latvia were the main travelers to Daugavpils; the diversity of travelers increased as well, for example, people who are traveling alone and holidaymakers who are traveling on weekends in order to attend events or leisure activities. In addition, the number of multi-day trips has increased considerably and contributed to the local economy.
Latest data compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau shows that 18,161 visitors stayed at Daugavpils tourist accommodations in 2nd quarter of 2018, which is by 18% more than in the previous year. Moreover, the number of nights spent by visitors increased by 18%, reaching 27,675. Over 2nd quarter of 2018, 8,176 foreign visitors were hosted, which is by 24% more than during the respective period of the previous year, whereas the number of nights spent by those people increased by 24%, reaching 12,384.
The active tourist season in Daugavpils has come to an end, but the work in TIC continues. We invite event planners and representatives of tourist facilities to send us information on current events by e-mail turisms@daugavpils.lv in order to inform of them the visitors of the www.visitdaugavpils.lv website and the followers of the social networks –www.facebook.com/Daugavpils.Travel, www.twitter.com/daugavpilstic, www.instagram.com/daugavpils.travel/.
For information, Daugavpils Tourist Information Centre is open from 10am to 6pm on Mondays -Saturdays from October, 1st to April 30th.
Information prepared by:
Daugavpils City Municipality Tourism Development and Information Agency
Phone: +371 65422818; +371 26444810
E-mail: turisms@daugavpils.lv
Web: www.visitdaugavpils.lv
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Daugavpils.travel
www.facebook.com/Daugavpils.cietoksnis
www.facebook.com/SmakovkasMuzejs
