Best tourist accommodation in countryside 2015 — “Green Island”

How to offer tourist Latgale how to achieve a quality and tourism product so that travellers do not miss the blue lake land – it was discussed by tourism professionals in Latgale tourism conference “Quality in Latgale tourism – an important factor in the development of a competitive destination”, which took place in Latgale embassy “GORS” on 26 November, gathering around two hundred tourism entrepreneurs, tourism information centre specialists and local government leaders, tourism stakeholders from all Latgale. Unfortunately, there was no invited government representatives -- WE CAN Minister Kaspars Gerhards and minister Dana Reizniece - oak.
The Conference of Presidents of Latgale Region, Alīna Gendele, Chairman of the Rēzekne City Council Aleksandrs Bartazvičs, and Kondral, Chairman of the Latgale Tourism Association “Ezerland”, emphasizes that the Latgale region needs a single, high-quality final product-oriented tourism and marketing strategy. The fact that there is an increasing number of tourists, Latgale is still an attractive destination with its picturesque nature, the hospitality of people, the supply of craftsmen and the special cultural heritage, however, problems have also been highlighted – the lack of an attractive, attractive and informative website where information on all Latgale tourism objects could be found. “Others succeed in communicating better and more professionally, not for the Latvians themselves,” the leading researcher of Aija van der Stein, the leading researcher of the Latvian university's economic and management scientific institute, the independent expert, discusses problems in the tourism sector of Latgale region. The laughter, when Aija shared her experience in Latgale's journey, when she offered her wine bivalve molluscs and kangaroes in one of the guests' houses, but it is sad to admit that often tourism entrepreneurs lack professionalism, communication skills with customers, cooperation with the surrounding entrepreneurs, to satisfy the wishes of the customer. The traveller is now experienced and demanding, he is looking for real, unique and attractive products, also good food and comfort in accommodation. Estonia and Lithuania are almost at the same distance from Riga as Latgale, so it is necessary to think how to attract tourists directly to Latgale, emphasizes the Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development. Inese Shirava. Tourists want to enjoy the different, special, including Smakovka, which is an integral part of Latgale's culinary heritage, but businessmen did not even want to talk about the tormented roads and the enormous spending that must be tolerated in order to achieve the legitimate and legal use of this product in their tourism business. “The requirements and costs are so large, like the big producer“ Latvian Balsam ”, how the Latgale tourism entrepreneur will be able to earn it,” acknowledged several participants in the conference. The audience was not indifferent, each issue was presented with discussions, which were also encouraged by both moderators – tourism professionals Aivars Mackevics and Aivars Alvaro Provejs – who successfully conducted the conference work in Latgalian language. As a result of this, the discussion – if tourists want to see the different and special ones in Latgale – also hear the Latgalian language, see Latgalian inscriptions, then the republishers of latgalical place names and directions have to face the prohibitions of the official language inspection. Much bitter experience with tourism entrepreneurs has been with the placement of signs and advertising banners – the representative of LATVIA's “Latvian State Roads” was informed by Māris Zahisalns.
At the end of the conference, the best tourist companies in Latgale were first awarded. Best New Tourism Object 2015 – Mark Rootko Art Center in Daugavpils. The best tourist information centre 2015 – Daugavpils BELIEVES, the best tourist accommodation in the city – also from Daugavpils, hotel Park Hotel Latgola. For the best tourist accommodation in the countryside in 2015, a guest house located IN THE municipality of Rezekne WAS recognised “Green Island” (owner Rita Tērauda). The most innovative tourism object in 2015 – Ludza Castle ruins.
A resolution was adopted at the end of the conference.
 
 
Anna Rancāne
Photo: Aivars Mackevics