Tourism
Having untouched countryside with rich natural resources, a well developed rural tourism network, a unique coastal area of almost 100 km and four UNESCO World Heritage masterpieces, Lithuania receives more than 2.2 million foreign tourists a year. The biggest tourist flows arrive from neighbouring countries: Poland, Russia, Latvia and Belarus. Other important countries for Lithuania’s tourism are Germany, United Kingdom, Finland and Italy.
Various SPA centres in Lithuania provide high quality beauty and medical treatments for a reasonable price. Ancient traditional methods of treatment are combined with modern technologies. For example, Druskininkai is one of Lithuania’s oldest resorts. Mineral water springs were discovered here in the 18th century, and some time later, some of the highest quality healing mud in Europe was also found there.
These natural resources are now being used to rebalance and restore the harmony of the mind, body and soul. This type of relaxation is popular not only among Lithuanians, but also among foreign tourists – Russians, Poles, and Germans.
A large variety of festivals take place during the year in major cities and resorts. These include classical and jazz music festivals, folk, theatre and film festivals. Music and theatre performances have always been world-class in Lithuania. Foreign theatre groups, opera and ballet companies, and popular music groups include Lithuania in their world touring schedules as well.
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, was selected as the European Capital of Culture in the year 2009. Hundreds of cultural projects and events took place in the Lithuanian capital. A large number of those successful cultural events have become a new tradition.
Lithuania’s tourism sector:
- untouched countryside with rich natural resources (22 000 rivers and rivulets, about 3000 lakes), well developed rural tourism network;
- unique costal area of almost 100 km;
- 4 UNESCO World Heritage masterpieces;
- modern up-to date SPA resorts;
- developed recreational infrastructure: 2 world-standard water amusement parks, 5 ice rinks, a number of theatre and cinema halls, multifunctional amusement centres;
- large ships (315 m) of well-known cruise lines regularly visit Klaipėda State Seaport;
- high demand for entertainment service;
- 43,700 employees in the sector
Please find out more about Lithuania’s tourism sector in the newest overview prepared by “Invest Lithuania” and “Enterprise Lithuania” analysts.
For more information: www.tourism.lt and www.lithuanianroutes.eu
For more information on the sector: www.stat.gov.lt
