Western allies have sanctioned Russia. It is extremely important that, driven only by mistrust, we do not extend it and sanction each other in hidden form. If we become too sceptical, cancelling travel plans and reservations now, we reduce our contacts and create unnecessary hardship for allies' economies – not because of the threat of war, but only because of fears.
There is no travel warning to visit Estonia, other Baltic states or Nordic countries, all of which are located near Russia. A holiday or business trip maintains direct contacts among people, relieves mistrust and tension, and makes a direct contribution to improve the economy and security situation all over Europe.
Estonia condemns Russia's invasion to Ukraine
• Russia is the aggressor responsible for the war against Ukraine, where Estonia, along with the Western countries, is supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Estonia is helping Ukraine through international cooperation, but Estonian people and companies have also convened to help Ukraine.
• Per capita, Estonia has given Ukraine more military, medical, technical and humanitarian aid than most other countries.
Estonia is in Northern Europe
• Estonia is the northernmost of the Baltic states, located only 80 km from Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
• Currently, there is no military threat to Estonia. The war is going on just as far away from Estonia as from many other European countries. For example, it is about 1300 km from Tallinn to Kyiv – exactly like from Berlin to Kyiv or from Vienna to Kyiv.
Estonia is the member of the most powerful international organisations
• Estonia is a member of the European Union and NATO since 2004, a member of Schengen area since 2007, a member of OECD since 2010 and a member of the euro area since 2011. In May 2020, Estonia chaired the UN Security Council for the first time.
• Estonia also is recognized by tourism organisations at the international level. Visit Estonia is a member of the board of European Travel Commission (ETC).
All services operate without restrictions throughout the territory
• There are no more coronavirus restrictions in Estonia and all services are available in full throughout the country. We invite all visitors to discover and rediscover Estonia, from the westernmost destination, beautiful island Saaremaa to Narva, the city on the eastern border of the European Union.
There are no obstacles in connectivity of Estonia with the Western world
• There are direct international flights from Tallinn Lennart Meri airport.
• Ship traffic between Tallinn and Helsinki is frequent: big passenger ships sail between Tallinn and Helsinki almost every hour. A big passenger ship sails between Tallinn and Stockholm every other day. Also cruise ships from America and Europe are frequenting Tallinn.
• We have comfortable and quick bus connections with Latvia and Lithuania and several tour operators offer Baltic tours.
• Tallinn, Tartu and Helsinki created a cross-border system that provides the comfortable public transport ticket purchase options in all three cities.
Estonia is a highly valued destination in international rankings
• In 2022 Estonia joined the MICHELIN Guide as the 37th destination in the world and first of the Baltic states, which is a recognition to Estonia's culinary scene quality. 31 restaurants in Estonia have earned a place on the MICHELIN Guide.
• WIRED 2016 – the most advanced digital society (Estonia)
• 1st e-residency in the world in 2014
• Sustainable Travel Index 2021 – 5th place in Europe (Estonia)
• Numbeo 2021 – best quality of life, 12th place (Estonia)
• WHO 2021 – cleanest air, 7th place in the world (Estonia)
• The independent 2022 – best remote work destination in the world (Tallinn)
• Kongres Magazine 2021 – best destination for conferences (Tallinn)
• 2023 – European Green Capital (Tallinn)
• 2024 – European Culture Capital (Tartu)
Estonia is a reliable and desirable destination for new tourism investments
• Radisson Collection Hotel – opened in Tallinn already in 2001, the renovated hotel welcomes guests from the 1st of May 2022. The 5* luxury hotel features 287 guest rooms designed by Estonian designers, including 19 suites, a spa complex, a 1,000 square meter conference centre and two new first-class restaurants.
• Hyatt Place Tallinn – 168 guest rooms in Tallinn port area. Planning to open in 2023.
• Novotel Living – 124 guest rooms in Tallinn port area. Planning to open as Accor group hotel in the beginning of 2024.
• Hampton by Hilton – 185 guest rooms in Tallinn city centre. Planning to open in 2024.
• Hotel Tallinn by Mercure – 128 guest rooms near Tallinn airport. Operating as an Accor group hotel since March 2022.
Estonia is a reliable and desirable venue for international events
• Numerous international conferences for professionals will be organized in Estonia this year, several each month – among them many different medical and cyber research conferences etc.
• Also many TOP-priority events in international event calendar take place in Estonia, such as Orienteering World Cup and European Orienteering Championships, World Field Archery Championships, FIA World Rally Championship round Rally Estonia etc.
Estonian tourism sector contributes to help refugees from Ukraine
• Accommodation. The tourism sector has been at the forefront of helping Ukrainian refugees settle down. Estonian hotels have provided the first place to relax and sleep after a long journey and to spend first weeks safely.
• Employment. Accommodation establishments offer to hire Ukrainian refugees on the spot and there is a possibility that a refugee lives and already works in a hotel where he or she arrived. The Unemployment Isurance Fund opened a job offer environment for Ukrainian war refugees, there are also many offers from tourism enterprises.
• General support. Visit Estonia's close partners Invest in Estonia and Work in Estonia have set up a special web-page for Ukrainians with information about visas, medical help, free school and kindergarten, e-residency and founding businesses for Ukrainians.
• Museums and culture. More than 60 Estonian museums and exhibition institutions have decided to grant free admission to Ukrainian war refugees on the basis of a document certifying citizenship. The aim of the initiative is to facilitate the integration of war refugees in Estonia. Free cultural and leisure activities in Tallinn
• Transportation. Ukrainian war refugees can travel by train and bus free of charge using a valid public transport card valid on both trains and city and county buses.
Estonia has stopped tourism relations with Russia
• Estonia has closed its airspace to Russian air operators and also entry to Estonia for Russian nationals is restricted.
• Ships flying the Russian flag are not allowed to enter European Union, incl. Estonian ports.
• Estonian tour operators have stopped selling trips to Russia.
• The Estonian Tourist Board does not plan any marketing activities (e.g digital campaigns) for end consumers (visitors) from Russia. Also all B2B activities are stopped:
- we do not invite Russian tour operators to FAM-trips to Estonia;
- we do not organize traditional marketing events in Russia, such as presentations and workshops in Moscow and St. Petersburg or roadshows in other major cities in Russia;
- tourism representative in Russia has left the post in Moscow and joined the Visit Estonia team in Tallinn with other projects.
• In 2019, Russian tourists accounted for 7,5% of all nights spent in the accommodation establishments of Estonia. Due to COVID restrictions from both sides, this figure dropped to 4% in 2020 and 1.6% in 2021. During the first half of 2022 (when the COVID restrictions imposed by Russia were still in force), they accounted for 3% of all overnights.
Summary by propastop.org:
