More Baltic travellers choose Spain – price still a key factor in destination choice.

Spain has now joined the list of the most popular spring destinations for Baltic travellers. Preferences diverge slightly for third place – travellers from Latvia and Estonia tend to favour Malta, while Lithuanians are more inclined towards Italy.

“Spain used to be considered a relatively expensive destination, but this spring we’re seeing some truly attractive prices, which have significantly boosted its popularity. On the other hand, Cyprus has become less in demand, even though it remains a pleasant spring destination,” explains Marge Zirela, Head of the AirGuru team.

Weather and price matter most

In spring, weather conditions are especially important. As the Baltics still experience cooler temperatures, people yearn for warmth and pay close attention to forecasts, sea temperatures, and whether hotels offer heated pools.

While travel prices to popular spring destinations have risen slightly this year, the increase hasn’t been significant. According to the travel expert, destinations that offer good value for money tend to be the most sought after – confirming that cost remains a decisive factor for many.

“At the same time, travel expenses can vary greatly – while some look for budget-friendly options, others opt for luxury getaways. The total cost also depends on the type and duration of the trip – a quick city break or a traditional seven-night beach holiday. Travellers' budgets are diverse, but for many, price is still a key decision-making factor,” she adds.

The option to pay for a trip in instalments is widely used in all three Baltic countries. However, according to AirGuru data, this solution is used more frequently in Latvia than in Lithuania or Estonia.

“Our data shows that people use this solution for both budget and premium trips. It allows expenses to be spread out over time, easing the immediate financial burden on households,” explains Dainis Skrinda, CEO of Inbank Latvia.

Full-service packages offer great value

Just a few years ago, booking a package holiday used to be more expensive than planning and booking everything independently. But this has changed.

“Full-service trips are now often so cost-effective that just the flight tickets alone can be more expensive than the entire package. That’s why these packages are becoming increasingly popular,” says AirGuru representative M. Zirela.

More and more people are also combining travel with remote work. AirGuru actively promotes these so-called “workation” trips, which blend work and leisure – a format growing in popularity among both small and large companies looking to offer employees a productive and inspiring environment away from the usual office setup.

Last-minute deals are still in demand

The spring school break week is one of the most popular travel periods, and trips during this time are usually booked well in advance. Travellers know that waiting for last-minute deals during this period is risky due to high demand.

May marks the beginning of the season in many popular summer destinations like Greece and Montenegro, offering a wider range of travel options. At this time of year, people are more likely to wait and monitor last-minute deals. However, this also comes with the risk of popular destinations selling out quickly.

“Last-minute trips have always been highly sought after, as attractive prices often inspire spontaneous travel decisions,” notes the AirGuru spokesperson. “Still, if you're tied to specific travel dates or have your heart set on a particular hotel, it’s better not to wait – this winter, for instance, there were relatively few good last-minute offers.”

Instalment payments: supporting both spontaneous and planned trips

Dainis Skrinda highlights that splitting payments is a valuable tool for businesses offering travel and tourism services, whether for spontaneous getaways or well-planned vacations:

“Last-minute offers often come up unexpectedly, and not everyone has the funds saved up to take advantage of them right away. Paying in instalments makes it easier to act on the opportunity without compromising financial flexibility.”

At the same time, this solution also benefits travellers planning their trips further in advance:

“There’s no need to make a large upfront payment – spreading the cost makes the purchase more accessible. This enables travel providers to reach a wider customer base and offer more flexible options for different life situations.”

In conclusion, Skrinda reminds customers that paying in instalments helps them manage their budget more effectively:

“It’s important to remember that an instalment plan means setting aside a fixed amount from your income each month, so we encourage everyone to consider how comfortably this fits into their everyday financial plans.”