Holidays in Nida: businesses have 3 times more profits, but some tourists turn around and return

“There are times when people turn around. They say we just wanted to come, see the dunes and have a coffee,” says the mayor.

“We are trying to protect ourselves from such tourists, no matter how unfortunate they are, during the peak, that they don’t find a place to park their cars and eventually don’t see those dunes.” But if people count, or myself, how much I pay for parking in two days when I come to Vilnius, then our numbers are very small, ”he explains.

According to the mayor of Neringa, there are few people who have not heard of the increase in the entrance fee. Some of them are willing to pay even more: “Everyone thinks of the ‘fixed’ rate of 50 euros, more than those who are surprised that it is not 50, but 30.”

According to D. Jasaitis, Neringa does not complain about the number of tourists: it is almost 90%. filled in. Like never before, many tourists in Preila and Pervalka, many tourists in Juodkrante. However, this year is exceptional, says D. Jasaitis, therefore, it is difficult to assess tourism indicators.

“An entrance wall with us is generally closed: the border with Russia, where we lose around 500 cars every day. It can be counted from Lithuania, but let’s remember how many countries still have restrictions on Lithuania, how many people do not go at all”, says the mayor of Neringa.

Calculate earnings up to three times higher

D. Jasaitis says that April and May were especially successful, but now the number of tourists in Neringa is similar to that of every year. However, there is also talk of losses: there are no foreigners.

“The figures for April and May surprised us. All the other tourist centers were closed and they did not accept tourists. Our position was that we shared our nature and beauty in both happiness and disgrace and invited him to visit at the risk of getting sick. Thank God. I managed to avoid that. But to say that there are more people now than it would always be false, “says the mayor of Neringa.

“It just came to our attention then. Imagine, for example, at the Thomas Mann Museum: -90 percent. Visitors. This means that there are no Germans who have loved Neringa. <... > So far, 2,000 buses carrying more than 50 tourists have not visited us. In May, April, and June, those tourists were no longer there, the big vacation homes just didn’t open. No one will return these losses, “he explains.

However, D. Jasaitis warns that with the increase in tourist flows, Neringa will certainly not accommodate everyone: “There are approximately half a million travelers in Lithuania. Neringa can accommodate 14,000 for one night, so we will never satisfy everyone who wants it, and we will be more expensive or have to control flows differently. ”

The mayor predicts that despite the large flow of tourists, this summer will not be good for all companies.

“Many new high-end restaurants are emerging, and those that don’t interest tourists are losing revenue. I appeal to everyone to show solidarity with the historical value and sail on the sailboat in support of the captain, as this only interested German tourists. So not all companies will have a good summer. For those who rent, I think it is very good. Some restaurants say revenue has tripled compared to last year, “says D. Jasaitis.

Warns against becoming an elite resort

Tourism expert Dainius Kinderis says that in the global context, the case of Neringa, where a fee of 30 euros is charged for entry, is quite exceptional.

“There are two similar places in Poland to the Curonian Spit, where admission is free. These places do not have a state of conservation, probably due to the absence of an entrance fee. One of the most expensive taxed places in Europe is Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes National Park, 24 euros and, as far as I know, the record holder is the Galapagos Islands, an ecologically fragile place. There, a person needs to pay an additional $ 120, ”says the expert.

According to him, if the purpose of the tax is to reduce the number of tourists, it is unlikely to be achieved in this way.

“I think it will not be possible to do it with an increase of 10 euros. When it was first increased to 20 €, [turistų] the numbers have grown, and will grow even now. They would also grow if they were 50 [eurų]”Kinder is convinced.

“Let’s empathize with the tourist. If we go from Vilnius to Nida for a week of vacation, then the family budget with a hotel and everything will be around 1000 euros, which is more than 10 euros per week, fun. For those who travel for a day , the difference can be ”, says an expert in tourism.

According to him, there may be two solutions: offer travelers to leave their cars on the other side or think about the development of water transport. True, emphasizes D. Kinder, tourists should also be approached and encouraged to discover other tourist spots in Lithuania.

“We don’t necessarily have to travel to the TOP 5 places in Lithuania: Nida, Palanga, Druskininkai, Anykščiai … We have so many beautiful places: Aukštaitija lakes, national parks, the wonderful Nemunas road from Seredžius to Jurbarkas and Pamarys, and Little Lithuania Let’s take a look at other places, “urges D. Kinder.

“From personal experience, I could recommend Karklė, which is not yet so loaded. Our stretch of coastline is still small and it’s challenging to accommodate everyone in the best spots. <...> I would suggest discovering small resorts where you can stay on small farms, supporting entrepreneurs who are losing foreign tourists, and turning more to rural farms, ”he adds.

According to the expert, it is difficult to say the amount of the entrance fee, but it should not be very high: “It is difficult to say the amount where the limit would be. I would suggest not to forget all the tourists that this is not an elite complex, where after paying 200 euros I could be proud that the majority cannot, and I can. “