Success of Latgale tourism specialists in tourism exhibition “Vakantiebeurs 2016”

The Latgale tourism association “Ezerland” at the Latvian National Stand, organised by the National Agency for Tourism Development (YOUR), participated in the Netherlands's largest tourism exhibition “Vakantiebeurs 2016”, informing travellers about tourism opportunities in the region and promoting its attractiveness to tourism objects. The exhibition took place between 12 and 17 January in the Netherlands city of Utrecht.
“Vacantiebeurs” (translation – holiday stock exchange) is also one of the most important international tourism exhibitions in Europe. YOUR company informs you that the exhibition is traditionally visited by more than 100 thousand visitors within five days. This year, Latgale regional tourism association “Ezerland”, Daugavpils Mark Rootko Art Centre, Riga Tourism Development Office, Vidzeme Tourism Association, and Latvian campsite associations participated in Latvian National Stand.
It was the third time that Dutch tourists met Latvia, including Latgale's offer for non-urgent and qualitative recreation. Visitors of the exhibition had the opportunity to receive tourism materials prepared by local tourism specialists in Latgale. In view of the growing interest of Dutch people in active tourism, the Latvian tourism development state agency (YOUR) organized Latvian stands, in particular, emphasized travel with bicycles, camping offers, natural and rural tourism, cultural tourism and the most significant cultural historical sites of Latgale, Latgale craftsmen, cultural heritage, ecological environment. A major interest was in a joint travel route across all three Baltic States together: Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Informative materials were offered to visitors – tourism guides and maps prepared by local tourism specialists in Latgale.
It was a pleasant haste to find out that many Dutch had traveled through Latgale. They shared a positive experience as one of the goals of the journey by emphasising peaceful resting on natural, delicious meals made from ecological products as well as affordable prices.
On 13 January, the Latvian Ambassador to the Netherlands visited Latvia's Ambassador to the Netherlands Ilze Roouse, together with Latvian Honorary Consul Nicolaas Scholtens and representative of Latvian Investment and Development Agency in the Netherlands Egita Aizsilnieci–Ibems.
The Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia reports that more than 25 thousand Dutch people have served in Latvian hotels and other tourist accommodation in 9 months of 2015, which is 21 % more than in 9 months of 2014. The number of overnight stays in this period also increased by 21 % and reached 50 thousand nights. For example, in Daugavpils in 2015, the Netherlands was the eighth largest foreign target market, according to data collected by Daugavpils Tourism Information Centre.
The participation of Latgale tourism specialists in this and other international exhibitions is ensured by the support of Latgale local governments, Latvian Investment and Development Agency and European Regional Development Fund.
The information was prepared by:
Lolita Kozlovska
Additional information:
League Condrate
Chairman of the Board of the Latgale Tourism Association “Ezerland”
+371 29467925