Editing Lithuania (section)

===Tourism===
{{Main|Tourism in Lithuania}}
[[File:Druskininkai fountain.jpg|thumb|[[Druskininkai]] is a popular [[spa town]].]]
Tourism is a significant sector in Lithuania, contributing to the country's economy and cultural exchange.

In 2023, Lithuania welcomed over 1.1 million international visitors, marking a substantial recovery from the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Foreign tourists accounted for nearly a third of Lithuania's total population, which was approximately 2.9 million in 2024. The majority of international tourists originated from neighboring countries, notably [[Belarus]] and [[Poland]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Topic: Travel and tourism in Lithuania |url=https://www.statista.com/topics/12416/travel-and-tourism-in-lithuania/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007110529/https://www.statista.com/topics/12416/travel-and-tourism-in-lithuania/ |archive-date=7 October 2024 |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=Statista |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Domestic tourism]] has also seen significant growth, with Lithuanian residents making around 12.8 million trips within the country in 2023. Most of these were same-day trips, totaling nearly 10 million.<ref name=":2" />

Key urban centres such as [[Vilnius]], [[Kaunas]], and [[Klaipėda]] attract numerous visitors due to their rich history and cultural offerings. Vilnius, the capital, is renowned for its [[baroque]] architecture and has been recognized as the [[European Green Capital Award|European Green Capital]] for 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rowan |first=Claudia |title=Europe’s most surprising foodie city — with hardly any Brits |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/europes-most-surprising-foodie-city-without-any-brits-9c65lm9h3?region=global |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=www.thetimes.com |date=15 September 2024}}</ref> Seaside resorts like [[Palanga]] and [[Neringa Municipality|Neringa]] are popular for their sandy beaches and unique landscapes. Neringa, part of the [[Curonian Spit]], is [[UNESCO]]'s [[World Heritage Site]] known for its colossal sand dunes and pine forests.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Bicycle Tourism in Lithuania : Baltic Sea cycle route - EuroVelo 10 |url=https://en.eurovelo.com/ev10/lithuania |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=EuroVelo}}</ref> Spa towns such as [[Druskininkai]] offer wellness retreats, with Druskininkai featuring the largest water park in [[Eastern Europe]] and the [[Snow Arena]], one of the biggest indoor skiing slopes in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lynų kelias |url=https://www.lynukelias.lt/en/ |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=www.lynukelias.lt}}</ref>

Lithuania offers diverse outdoor activities. Hot air ballooning is particularly popular in Vilnius and [[Trakai]], providing aerial views of the historic landscapes. Cycling tourism is on the rise, with the country boasting over 3,769 km of bicycle tracks, including 1,988 km of asphalt pavement. Notable routes include:
* '''EuroVelo 10 (Baltic Sea Cycle Route):''' Traverses the [[Curonian Spit]], offering views of sand dunes and coastal towns like [[Palanga]] and [[Nida, Lithuania|Nida]].<ref name=":3" />
* '''EuroVelo 11 (East Europe Route):''' Passes through eastern Lithuania, including Vilnius and Trakai, and natural areas like [[Labanoras Regional Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=ECF |title=Bicycle Tourism in Lithuania : East Europe cycle route - EuroVelo 11 |url=https://en.eurovelo.com/ev11/lithuania |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=EuroVelo}}</ref>

The [[Nemunas Delta Regional Park]] is a haven for birdwatchers, hosting over 300 bird species, including rare and endangered ones like the [[greater spotted eagle]] and [[aquatic warbler]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nemunas Delta |url=https://lithuania.travel/en/where-to-visit/nature/bird-watching/nemunas-delta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526185225/https://lithuania.travel/en/where-to-visit/nature/bird-watching/nemunas-delta |archive-date=26 May 2024 |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=lithuania.travel |url-status=live }}</ref> The park's wetlands serve as crucial resting sites for [[Bird migration|migratory birds]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nemunas Delta Regional Park - Šilutės turizmo informacijos centras |url=https://siluteinfo.lt/en/silute-region/nemunas-delta-regional-park/ |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=siluteinfo.lt |date=25 May 2022}}</ref>

====Economic tourism====
According to the [[World Travel and Tourism Council]] (WTTC), Lithuania's tourism sector contributed approximately €1.7 billion to the national economy in 2023, accounting for 2.3% of the country's GDP. This represents a notable recovery from the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, although it remains below pre-pandemic levels. The WTTC's Economic Impact Report for Lithuania provides detailed insights into the sector's performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TRAVEL & TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT 2023 |url=https://assets-global.website-files.com/6329bc97af73223b575983ac/647f193f93a40a264ad69885_EIR2023-Lithuania.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=National accounts - Oficialiosios statistikos portalas |url=https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/nacionalines-saskaitos1 |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=osp.stat.gov.lt}}</ref>