Scholarly record

THE ROLE OF TOURISM IN SUSTAINABLE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT IN LATVIA: CHANGES, CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVE

Tatjana Lejava, Zane Vītoliņa

Abstract

Tourism is essential to Latvia's sustainable territorial development, fostering infrastructure improvements, regional economic growth, and social cohesion. However, the sector has experienced major disruptions over the past seven years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, changing consumer behavior, and geopolitical instability. This study examines tourism development trends in Latvia, identifying key changes, challenges, and prospects in the context of sustainability. In 2019, the number of tourists in Latvia was 2.85 million, but due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it decreased to 1.46 million in 2020 (by 48.7% compared to 2019) and in 2021 it continued to fall to 1.31 million (by 54.2%). The Latvian tourism sector has also experienced structural changes, changing the distribution of countries of origin for foreign tourists. These changes were related to the beginning of Russian military aggression in Ukraine in February 2022 and the subsequent sanctions of the EU against Russia and Belarus. The resulting instability affected the flow of foreign tourists and investments in the tourism sector. Although tourism indicators have recovered to 2.7 million visitors in 2024, they remain 5.35% below pre-crisis levels [1]. In 2019, tourism contributed 7.6% to LatviaпїЅs GDP and provided 8.3% of the total number of employees, corresponding to approximately 75,100 jobs [1, 2]. While tourism helps preserve cultural and natural heritage, it challenges sustainable resource use and community engagement. The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) stresses promoting sustainable, value-based tourism [3]. Achieving balanced development requires involving local communities in planning and managing resources. The study aims to assess the impact of tourism development in the context of sustainable territorial development. It uses monographic analysis, synthesis, and statistical methods, including a composite index based on standardized indicators, to evaluate tourism development at the municipal level. The results underline significant territorial disparities and sectoral transformations driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical shifts, indicating the

Publication Impact Profile

• Captures
• Mendeley - Readers: 2

PLUMX see details

Dimensions ID: pub.1195348631

DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2025/5.1/s20.083

Publication details

Back to publication list