Tourism development in the Baltic States has been extensive during the fifteen years since Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Investment in tourist infrastructure has been widespread throughout this period, including the upgrading and extension of international airport and seaport facilities and the construction of new hotels, restaurants and bars. This investment has paid dividends and the number of international tourists visiting each country has grown considerably.

On 1 May 2004 each of the Baltic States joined the European Union (EU), a move that has brought an expansion in the number of budget flights operating to and from each country. In both the accession year and 2005 Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia all benefited from an increase in the number of arrivals and overnight stays from the rest of Europe and the USA.

Inbound tourism to the Baltic States has significant potential for future growth in both the leisure and business arenas, however more needs to be done to draw tourists to attractions outside of the capital cities of Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn.