Tourism operators in eastern Latvia say repeated incursions by stray military drones linked to the war in Ukraine are driving visitors away from one of the country's most popular summer destinations, threatening hundreds of small businesses that rely on seasonal trade.
In Latvia's eastern lake district, near the Russian border, guesthouses, restaurants and activity providers report a growing number of cancellations as tourists become concerned about drone alerts and the possibility of having to seek shelter during their holidays.
At Birdwhistles Guesthouse, located in a forested area around 50 kilometres from the Russian border, owner Martins Kiščenko said all eight rooms currently stand empty, an unusual situation at the height of the summer season.
According to Kiščenko, two wedding parties cancelled their reservations at the last minute because guests were worried that drone alerts could disrupt their stay.
The region, often known as the Land of Blue Lakes, is renowned for its forests, lakes and outdoor activities, attracting visitors seeking fishing, hiking and nature-based tourism.
However, local tourism operators say security concerns are beginning to outweigh the area's natural appeal.
Jelena Kijaško, a representative of the regional tourism industry association, said around 500 small businesses could face financial difficulties if cancellations continue.
A survey conducted by the association found that 85% of tourism businesses had experienced booking cancellations linked to fears over drone activity, with some operators losing more than half of their expected future business.
Since March, stray Ukrainian military drones have entered the airspace of Latvia and neighbouring Baltic states. Kyiv and NATO countries say the drones were diverted from their intended targets inside Russia by Russian electronic jamming systems.
Although no injuries have been reported, the incidents have prompted authorities to issue repeated warnings urging residents to seek shelter.
Last month, two drones exploded in the town of Rēzekne, while two others struck a nearby oil storage facility, causing a fire.
After a two-week period without incidents raised hopes that the situation had stabilised, another drone was intercepted on Monday when a French NATO fighter jet shot it down.
Despite the incidents, local officials and tourism representatives insist the region remains safe for visitors.
Kijaško argued that the risk posed by the drones remains extremely low and should not deter tourists from visiting the area.
"We live here and we don't feel ourselves particularly endangered," she said.
"The probability of being in a road accident in Riga is much, much higher than having a drone fall on your head in the forest," Kijaško added.
In an effort to boost confidence, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs plans to spend his summer holiday in the region, according to his spokesperson.
For many tourism businesses, however, concerns remain that the reputational damage caused by months of drone-related headlines could have a lasting impact on the crucial summer season.
Andy Burnham has become the UK's new prime minister, completing a remarkable journey from leading Greater Manchester to leading the country. As he too...
Iran said it has received overtures from regional mediators aimed at de-escalating the ongoing military standoff between Tehran and Washington....
Music icons Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Burna Boy performed during the FIFA World Cup final halftime show, bringing a Super Bowl-style spectacle to foot...
The Philippines and China traded accusations on Monday after their vessels clashed at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Manila said a Philippine sailor was injured, while Beijing claimed Philippine forces started the confrontation.
Armenian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into allegations that supporters of the Strong Armenia party offered bribes to voters in exchange for their support.
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising fears of further regional escalation and possible disruption to global energy supplies and key shipping routes.
Thailand plans to complete a 250-kilometre section of a high-speed railway linking the country with China by 2030, as Bangkok strengthens transport links and strategic ties with Beijing.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 20th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least six people were killed and 21 others injured after two earthquakes struck Peru's central Junín region, destroying dozens of homes and triggering a major emergency response.
Lionel Messi's Argentina face Spain in World Cup final with history on the line. Spain and Argentina meet on Sunday in the 2026 World Cup final, bringing together the reigning champions of Europe and South America.
The United States launched fresh strikes against Iran after two U.S. service members were killed in Jordan. U.S. President Donald Trump paid tribute to the fallen troops as Iran warned of further escalation.
Kylian Mbappé has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot on more than one occasion. The French forward won the award presented to the top goalscorer of the tournament for the second time, despite France being knocked out in the semi-finals.
Afghanistan and Türkiye are considering a tourism agreement to promote historic and religious sites, ease travel and train tourism workers, Afghan authorities said after talks in Kabul on Monday.
The European Union's General Court has dismissed Ryanair's appeals against an Italian state aid scheme approved by the European Commission in 2020 to support airlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan’s tourism boom is adding pressure on local authorities to expand accommodation taxes as cities and prefectures seek to manage rising visitor numbers and fund services amid record international arrivals.
Georgia and the European Union have held their first working-level talks in Brussels following the EU's decision to suspend visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service and official passports.
TUI has reported sustained demand for holidays despite the Iran war, as the world’s biggest travel company posted lower-than-expected quarterly losses and said bookings for the second half of the year remained strong.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment