Fear of Ukrainian drones is driving tourists away from eastern Latvia

In the Latvian region known as the "Land of Blue Lakes," the tourist season is off to a bad start. Near the Russian border, guesthouses that are usually very busy are reporting numerous cancellations, as visitors fear the consequences of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and possible drone alerts.

At the Birdwhistles Guesthouse, located in a forest about 50 kilometers from the Russian border, all eight rooms are currently empty. Owner Martins Kiscenko says such a situation is exceptional at this time of year, which is usually marked by high occupancy rates.

Two groups who had booked the venue for weddings cancelled their attendance at the last minute. According to the manager, the couples did not want to expose their guests to the possibility of having to interrupt the festivities to seek shelter in the event of a drone alert.

This concern reflects the growing psychological impact of the war in regions near Russia. Although Latvia is not directly involved in the conflict, drone incidents observed in the region in recent years fuel the fears of some travelers.

Local tourism professionals fear this trend will worsen over the summer. Cancellations are affecting not only accommodations, but also restaurants, event providers, and many small businesses that depend on tourism.

In this region renowned for its lakes, forests, and rural tourism, residents nevertheless hope that visitors will regain confidence. For many of them, the main challenge is not the actual safety of the area, but the perception of risk created by the proximity of the Russian border and the images of war that dominate European news.