Development of water tourism as nature and active tourism

component in Latvia and Estonia

Kick-off Meeting17.04.2013, Sigulda, Latvia

OPENING OF THE MEETING

Project „Riverways” objectives, challenges and expected resultsAiga Petkēvica, Kurzeme planning region administration, Project manager

Project activities in the South – EstoniaElo Mets, Valga County Development Agency, Project coordinator in Estonia

Project activities in the Lääne county (West Estonia)Andres Huul, Lääne County Development Centre, Manager

Project activities in the Riga regionChallenges of the water tourism development in Riga region – central part of Latvia by the Gulf of Riga

Liesma Grīnberga, Riga Planning region, Project coordinator

Project activities in the Vidzeme regionCooperation – opportunity for water tourism development in Vidzeme region

Ineta Puriņa, Vidzeme Planning region, Project coordinator

Project activities in the Kurzeme regionNew water tourism products in Kurzeme – basis for diverse water and active tourism opportunities Aiga

Petkēvica, Kurzeme planning region, Project manager

12.05 COFFEE BREAK AND NETWORKING

Role of Latvian tourism development agency in promotion of active and nature tourism Madara Brūvere, Latvian Tourism Development Agency

Active and nature tourism trends in EstoniaImbi Rüütel, Theme Manager (Nature Holiday), Estonian Tourist Board/ Enterprise Estonia

Water tourism from the perspective of entrepreneurs Rolands Melbārdis, Active tourism centre “Eži”

Water tourism from the perspective of entrepreneursLevo Tohva, Adventurer, blogger, lecturer, entrepreneur and developer

3Question AnswerProgramme Latvia – Estonia cross-border cooperation programme 2007 - 2013

Project title Development of water tourism as nature and active tourism component in Latvia and Estonia

Short title Riverways

Title in Latvian Ūdenstūrisma kā dabas un aktīva tūrisma komponentes attīstība Latvijā un Igaunijā

Title in Estonian Veeturismi kui loodus- ja aktiivse turismi ühe komponendi arendamine Lätis ja Eestis

Project index EU 43385Implementation period

24 months / 15.01.2013 – 14.01.2015

Number of partners

39, including 9 from Estonia, 6 from Vidzeme Planning region, 12 from Riga planning region, 12 from Kurzeme Planning region

Total budget 2 168 674,70 EUR, including 1 800 000 EUR ERDF and 386 674,70 EUR National financing

Infrastructure 56,7 % from total budget – 1 230 590.21 EUR

Project ID

4Project ideaThe overall objective of the project is to improve conditions for sustainable water tourism development and to increase competitiveness of water tourism in the Programme area.

Specific objective is to develop programme area as attractive water tourism destination by vitalizing rivers and seacoast by improving infrastructure for tourists (by the rivers, lakes,

coast) - installation of resting areas and piers, information stands, signs, floating bridges, cleaning rivers.

developing new water tourism products for different target groups in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Germany and Finland;

promoting water tourism as active tourism component in Latvia and Estonia as also in 4 target markets – Lithuania, Russia, Germany, Finland in order to achieve an increase in number of leisure tourists in project area

5Project structure

WP 1

Project management

and coordination

WP 2

Competence and product development

WP 3

Infrastructure

WP 4

Marketing

13,6% 5,5% 59,4% 21,3%

6Project regionsCooperation and involvment of Around 40 rivers are covered in

the project Coastline in Estonia (Laane county)

with infrustructure and coastline in Latvia with product development and marketing activities;

Cooperation and involvment of More than

40 rivers Lakes Coastline in

Estonia (Laane county

7Project – for whom and how?Cooperation and involvment of SME’s operating in field of active tourism, including canoing tourism

operators in the project area rivers and other water tourism resources (lakes, coast);

SME’s, public sector and NGO operating in tourism services and attractions (accommodation, cafes, tourism sites etc.) in Project area around rivers and other water tourism resources (lakes, coast);

Tourism specialists, experts, tourism information centre officers, NGO, which coordinate tourism development;

Institutions involved in the maintenance and protection of nature values, including rivers, lakes, coast – nature protection bodies, managing institutions (NGO, state, municipal);

8 Expeditions as a tool to explore, research and study each

region nature and active tourism potential Experience exchange, study cases, field visits,

networking; Trainings, workshops for tourism entrepreneurs, local

tourism developers and local tourism service providers;

At least 15 new tourism products in whole project area developed by the entrepreneurs with the support and ecouragment of the project;

Raised awareness about the management of rivers/coastline as nature resource and source which can generate income for local economies (cooperation, waste problems, nature protection);

Identified new tourism development potentials in projects regions;

WP1 Project management and

coordination

WP2Competence and

product development

WP3Infrastructure

WP4Marketings

Main Project activities

9 4 Experience exchange visits for water tourism

entrepreneurs to exchange experience, gain knowldege, establish contacts:

in Estonia - to introduce water tourism developments, problems.

in Latvia – to introduce water tourism developments, problems.

in Finland – to introduce sea kayaking and cruise tourism ships operation in rivers, coastline areas;

in Lithuania – to introduce water tourism developemnt in Lithunia, case studies in rivers management

Q-Latvia development for the active and canoing tourism service providers, including elaboration of criterias, “Mistery shopping”, Best Practise Manual

WP1 Project management and

coordination

WP2Competence and

product development

WP3Infrastructure

WP4Marketings

Main Project activities

10

WP1 Project management and

coordination

WP2Competence and

product development

WP3Infrastructure

WP4Marketing

Main Project activities20 rivers will be cleaned by removal of fallen trees,

household waste and garbage125 Information stands232 Signs to orientate tourists (road signs and signs

on the rivers)107 resting areas along the rivers26 floating bridges, timber pontoons7 sections of access roads to the starting/finish

points of boating 5 viewpoints (watching tower, platforms,

viewpoints)1 steam ship

11 Printed materials

Water tourism map of the whole project area; Detailed brochures:

guide of rivers; detailed brochures for foreign target markets;specific brochures to promote coastal

water/active/nature tourism possibilities. Inserts in daily newspapers in Latvia and Estonia

Electronic solutions Web platform and mobile applications for commonly used

smartphones, Image films on Internet, Electronic insert in Finnish newspaper;

Direct events for target markets: Great Baltic Travel action – for travelers to encourage

explore water/active and nature tourism holidays in Latvia and Estonia;

4 Familiarization trip for journalists and 3 promotional tours to promote water tourism possibilities;

Media campaign in Russia – to attract new market and pay attention to nature tourism possibilities in both countries;

WP1 Project management and

coordination

WP2Competence and

product development

WP3Infrastructure

WP4Marketing

Main Project activities – WP4

Aiga PetkēvicaKurzeme Planning Region

Project manager

Phone +371 67338738; +371 29483674Skype: aiga_petkevica

e-pasts: aiga.petkevica@kurzemesregions.lv