Key facts
- Stray Ukrainian military drones have entered Latvian airspace since March, causing tourism cancellations.
- The incursions have led to regular orders for residents to seek shelter.
- Two drones exploded in Rezekne and two hit an oil storage facility last month.
- A French NATO jet recently shot down a drone over Latvia.
- Approximately 500 small businesses in the tourism sector are facing financial difficulties.
Eastern Latvia, known as the Land of Blue Lakes, is experiencing a significant downturn in tourism due to fears of stray Ukrainian military drones entering its airspace. Guesthouses, like Birdwhistles Guesthouse near the Russian border, are reporting full vacancies, a situation unheard of for this time of year. Wedding parties and other bookings have been cancelled as couples and tourists worry about drone alerts interrupting their stays and the lack of adequate shelter in rural accommodations.