Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - 10:11 by ce-press
This season AIDA Cruises returns to Riga, with nine calls on three ships, after a break of five years.
“We, as AIDA Cruises, are happy to be back at this wonderful port, showing our guests the variety of the Baltic. Also, with more calls than before in 2019: expecting nine calls in 2024 and also nine calls for 2025. Our shore excursion programme offers something for everyone: whether it’s a quick overview of Riga or full-day excursions in the surroundings to Kemeri National Park or Jurmala,” says an AIDA spokesman.
Ieva Lasmane, head of the tourism department of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, says: ”This is an important event for the development of tourism in the city and confirms the attractiveness of Riga as an excellent cruise destination. Tourists from Germany are one of Riga's largest target groups, and the return of such a large cruise line to Riga shows that the negative impact of the geopolitical situation on tourism in the Baltics is diminishing. The beneficiaries will also be the restaurants and cafes of Old Riga, which will be visited by the passengers of the ship, giving an additional impetus to business”.
On average, 40% of AIDA passengers take tours, which is a typical attendance rate. Tours include various thematic excursions around the capital: cultural and local tourism programmes and culinary tours. Further afield are the picturesque town, Sigulda, and Rundale Palace. There are also those who choose to go for a walk along the marsh paths with a guide.
"We are one of the most highly rated destinations in the Baltic Sea region. The majority of cruise lines note the high level of satisfaction of passengers after visiting Riga. Cruise passengers appreciate the various offer of Riga tourism products, including UNESCO heritage, cultural and historical pearls, local food and drinks, as well as the excellent location of the port nearby the old town,” says Jeļena Burdastova, cruise business support specialist Riga Freeport Authority.
The majority of all cruise tourists arriving in Riga are from Germany. In 2023, cruise passengers from Germany accounted for 40% of all cruise tourists, totalling 32.7 thousand passengers from Germany. This year the Latvian capital is expecting more German visitors due to AIDA’s return to the city.
This season, the port has 68 calls planned.
Following meetings at Seatrade Cruise Global with cruiseline representatives, Riga has secured calls from a couple of cruise lines on their world cruise itineraries in 2025 and 2026.
