Involvement of small-scale rural businesses in agritourism

Asnāte Ziemele, Latvian Rural Tourism AssociationInternational conference

“Rural Tourism without Boundaries”Kielce, 11 April 2014

Latvian Country Tourism Association Founded: 1993 Members: ~330 Staff: ~12Office: in Riga

Functions:

• RT product development

• Quality control and labelling

• Povider training and consultations

• Promotion and marketing (brochures, maps, Internet)

• Lobbying for interests of members

• Project implementation

Project: Marketing campaign for development of rural tourism products in all regions of Latvia and their promotion (2013 - 2014)

Aim: To implement a rural tourism marketing campaign for development of rural tourism products based on rural resources and traditional values: local

and regional food, culture and rural crafts, rural production.

Minimum criteria for open farms

• working farm or an individual entrepreneur practicing crafts, engaged in

agricultural production or other traditionally rural activities

• open for visitors in set times or upon request

• reliable contact details published (e.g., telephone, e-mail, web site)

• relevant conditions and infrastructure to take visitors (e.g.,

demonstration/tasting room or site, parking, etc.)

• clear visiting arrangements (visiting times, prices, languages, etc.)

ONLINE DATABASE “COUNTRYSIDE BOUNTY”

http://www.celotajs.lv/en/c/wrth/goodies

• ca 400 small-scale enterprises

MAP “TASTES OF LATVIA”

GUIDEBOOK “COUNTRYSIDE BOUNTY” AND TOURING ROUTES

PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIRS:

Grüne Woche, BerlinVakantiebeurse, the NetherlandsBalttour, RigaTourest, TallinnITB, BerlinMITT, Moscow

PUBLIC DISCUSSION: „OPEN PRODUCTION FARM – BENEFITS FOR OWNERS AND TOURISTS”

• 189 participants

• Jānis Dūklavs, the Minister of Agriculture participated in 2 hour discussion with the audience

WHY OPEN FOR VISITORS?ENTREPRENEUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS

INFO DAYS – INVITIATION OF CULINARY ROUTE LATVIA

2 ACTION EVENTS – “OPEN DOOR DAYS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE”

• May 16-18, September 2014• ~140 agricultural farms and production enterprises open for visitors with special offiers/ discounts• Information support campaigne – LC

Thank you!