Rural Tourism in Latvia
description
Transcript of Rural Tourism in Latvia
Asnate ZiemeleLatvian Country Tourism Association “Lauku ceļotājs”
Conference “CAP Reform: entrepreneurial opportunities in the enlarged EU”Brussels, November 6-7, 2003
Rural Tourism inRural Tourism in LatviaLatvia
Latvia in EuropeLatvia in EuropeNortheast of EuropeMiddle of the Baltic StatesCapital - RigaPopulation 2,4 mil.
Reasons for visiting:
Curious?Charming peopleTraditions still aliveLots of trees and watersWhite ChristmasBeer, beer, beer...
Latvian Country TourismLatvian Country Tourism AssociationAssociation Lauku ceļotājsLauku ceļotājs
Legal form: NGO (owns a Ltd. company for commercial activities)Founded: 1993 Members: ~250 (rural tourism entrepreneurs)Bed places: ~ 3715Staff: ~ 14
Main ActivitiesMain Activities
Providers Customers
Public Sector
Providers • RT Database
• Quality scheme, inspections
• Grading and labelling
• Training and consulting
• Regular newsletters
• Provider assemblies
Target MarketsTarget Markets
Number of bednights 2002• Domestic 69%• Foreign 31%
USA6%
U.K.6%
Netherlands5%
Estonia4%
Lithuania3%Finland
9%
Other countries16%
Germany51%
Customers
ProductsProductsAccommodations in the Baltics
• Country homes
• Self-catering vacation cottages
• Guest houses
• Campings
• Castles
Customers
• Bicycling• Boating• Fishing• Horse riding• Agri-tours
Customers
ProductsProductsOrganized Tours through the Baltics
Latvia
Lithuania
Estonia
PublicationsPublicationsCatalogues, Guides, Maps
• Accommodations and attractions in the Baltic States
• Languages:
• Distribution: office, TICs, embassies, travel fairs
Customers
InternetInternet• Accommodations, attractions, tour programs
• Search and reservation system
• ~ 500 visits per day
• Roundmails to customers and travel agents
www.traveller.lvwww.traveller.lv
Customers
Reservation OfficeReservation Office
• Individual reservations
• Tour operator service
• 10-50 requests per day
Customers
Networking and CooperationNetworking and Cooperation
• Lobbying in national level
• Development of a common Baltic RT strategy
• Cooperation with European RT community
• EU and national projects
Public Sector
Development since 1999
Implemented within a EC LIFE programme co-financed project
Currently assigned to 50 establishments
Period of validity 1,5 years
Joining the common initiative of European eco-labels VISIT
http://eco.traveller.lv
Eco-labellingEco-labellingEC LIFE programme (2001-2004)
Green Certificate - the national eco-label for country homes, vacation cottages, guest houses and campings
Public Sector
Information TechnologiesInformation TechnologiesEU PHARE programme (2004 – 2005)
Baltic RT integration• common marketing• data standards• cross country analysis and market trends• further development platform
Common information and reservations system for the Baltic countries
RTME specific, multilanguage design
Open source
Low deployment and development cost
http://www.celotajs.lv/Phare_en.htm
Public Sector
Common understanding of rural tourism quality in Europe
• Based on common criteria in European rural tourism quality schemes
• International on-line customer review of quality expectations http://eco.celotajs.lv/srv/qst_rural.php
• Generic web based tool:
cross-system transparency
unified control and evaluation methodology• http://www.celotajs.lv/Leonardo_en.htm
QualityQualityEC Leonardo da Vinci programmeEC Leonardo da Vinci programme
(2002-2004)(2002-2004)Public Sector
Guidebook Guidebook ““Countryside BountyCountryside Bounty”” RT is not just a bed!
Excursions to 82 interesting farmsteads in Latvia:
• Traditional and exotic animals
• Ecological fruit and vegetables
Guidebook Guidebook ““Countryside BountyCountryside Bounty”” Rural life is part of RT product!
• Craftsmen
• Fishermen
• Original collections
What Makes a Strong RT What Makes a Strong RT Organization?Organization?
Members – RT providers- learning, future oriented, loyal to the organization
Competitive RT product- quality, reliability, continuously improving
Management- professionalism, experience, vision, co-operation
Contact us! www.traveller.lvLatvian Country Tourism Association “Lauku ceļotājs”Kugu str. 11, Riga, LatviaTel.: +371 7617600, Fax: +371 7830041, e-mail: [email protected]
We are open for cooperation!We are open for cooperation!