AGROTOURISM IN LITHUANIA DanguoleBoguseviciene2010

Lithuania’s geographic position Located in eastern part of Europe Located in eastern part of Europe bordering Latvia in the north – 610 km long border, bordering Latvia in the north – 610 km long border, Belarus to the east and south km Belarus to the east and south km Poland to the south km, Poland to the south km, Kaliningrad region of Kaliningrad region of Russia km to the southwest

The total area of country is 65.3 thousand sq. km The total area of country is 65.3 thousand sq. km Lithuanian population is 3,462 million of which 2,317 million live in urban areas about 1,145 million in rural areas. Lithuanian population is 3,462 million of which 2,317 million live in urban areas about 1,145 million in rural areas.

Lithuania has 758 rivers longer than 10 km, Lithuania has 758 rivers longer than 10 km, 2834 lakes larger than 0.5 ha lakes larger than 0.5 ha. Forests cover 31 per cent of the territory. Forests cover 31 per cent of the territory.

Lithuania is divided into administrative units: 60 municipalities and 10 counties.

Legal frame for agro-tourism enterprise licensing According to the Law on Tourism of the Republic of Lithuania (dated 3 December 2002, No. IX-1211) agro- tourism (rural tourism) service is defined as tourism service that is provided in the locality or city, having not more than inhabitants, in the farm or in the individual residence, the service provider whereof shall: According to the Law on Tourism of the Republic of Lithuania (dated 3 December 2002, No. IX-1211) agro- tourism (rural tourism) service is defined as tourism service that is provided in the locality or city, having not more than inhabitants, in the farm or in the individual residence, the service provider whereof shall: have a homestead suitable for the accommodation of the tourists or separate premises, wherein not more that 20 rooms are suitable for the accommodation; have a homestead suitable for the accommodation of the tourists or separate premises, wherein not more that 20 rooms are suitable for the accommodation; establish conditions which comply to the requirements of the agro-tourism service rendering. establish conditions which comply to the requirements of the agro-tourism service rendering.

Rural tourism is providing accommodation and service to tourists by individuals who have a business certificate or adequate document that proves service quality. Rural tourism is providing accommodation and service to tourists by individuals who have a business certificate or adequate document that proves service quality. There are two possible ways to become a rural tourism provider: There are two possible ways to become a rural tourism provider: An adequate document for rural tourism services can be issued at district’s municipality, it can be issued for 5 years; An adequate document for rural tourism services can be issued at district’s municipality, it can be issued for 5 years; Individuals may get a business certificate from State tax inspectorate. Business certificate can be issued for calendar year or shorter time (the shortest period – 30 days). Individuals may get a business certificate from State tax inspectorate. Business certificate can be issued for calendar year or shorter time (the shortest period – 30 days).

Travel services environmental certification and labelling In Lithuania’s tourism sector three types of environmental labels are introduced: In Lithuania’s tourism sector three types of environmental labels are introduced: Danish “Green Key”, Danish “Green Key”, Europe’s “Blue Flag” Europe’s “Blue Flag” EU’s EUFlower. EU’s EUFlower. In year 2007, three hotels and four rural tourism homesteads had "Green Key" label. Seven beaches received “Blue flag”. In year 2007, three hotels and four rural tourism homesteads had "Green Key" label. Seven beaches received “Blue flag”.

Evaluation before granting a certificate Each product is analyzed by following criteria: Each product is analyzed by following criteria: the amount of garbage, the amount of garbage, agricultural soil pollution, agricultural soil pollution, water pollution, water pollution, air pollution, air pollution, noise, noise, use of energy, use of energy, use of natural resources, use of natural resources, impact on the ecosystem. impact on the ecosystem. Product’s life cycle elements are examined as well by following criteria: material, production, distribution (package), use, Utilization. Tausojamojo turizmo plėtros problemos Prof. habil. dr. Juozas Ruževičius

There are differences between “Green key” and EUFlower: “Green key” is provided for one year and EUFlower for 2-3 years. “Green key” is provided for one year and EUFlower for 2-3 years. EUFlower is available for accommodation service providers and “Green key” is available for other services as well. EUFlower is available for accommodation service providers and “Green key” is available for other services as well. Almost one fifth of “Green Key” criteria can be adapted to national requirements; EUFlower criteria are the same for all countries. Almost one fifth of “Green Key” criteria can be adapted to national requirements; EUFlower criteria are the same for all countries. “Green Key” is used in more countries than EUFlower. “Green Key” is used in more countries than EUFlower. “Green Key” is used more for environmental performance labelling. "EUFlower" certificate indicates that the service meets the most important environmental requirements. “Green Key” is used more for environmental performance labelling. "EUFlower" certificate indicates that the service meets the most important environmental requirements.

In Lithuania most of agro-tourism service providers are members of the Lithuanian Argo-tourism Association which is an independent non-profit association, In Lithuania most of agro-tourism service providers are members of the Lithuanian Argo-tourism Association which is an independent non-profit association, uniting peoples of the Republic of Lithuania who are engaged in the agro-tourism service. uniting peoples of the Republic of Lithuania who are engaged in the agro-tourism service.

Association has its own patent mark – white stork in the green background. This mark is used for the identification of the member of the Association; additionally this mark is used for signing the qualifying (comfort) category. Association has its own patent mark – white stork in the green background. This mark is used for the identification of the member of the Association; additionally this mark is used for signing the qualifying (comfort) category. The entire homesteads, members of the Association, are divided into 4 categories, having the mark of one, two, three or four storks. The entire homesteads, members of the Association, are divided into 4 categories, having the mark of one, two, three or four storks. These comfort categories are determined under the classification regulations approved by the Council of the Association. These comfort categories are determined under the classification regulations approved by the Council of the Association.

Ecological environment of Argo-tourism the ecological environment of Country tourism farmstead is the most important feature of the traditional farmstead. the ecological environment of Country tourism farmstead is the most important feature of the traditional farmstead. The farmsteads and ecological environment of them, traditional or historical elements of the buildings and all the measures and attributes related to the village, become very important part of the image of ecological country tourism.

The development of ecological farming Since 1997 the number of organic farmstead and certificated territory grow up approximately 35 percent every year. In 2007 it was certificated 2855 farmsteads, and the average territory (area) of the ecological production in compare with dates of 2006, grow up at 23 percent and made hectare. Since 1997 the number of organic farmstead and certificated territory grow up approximately 35 percent every year. In 2007 it was certificated 2855 farmsteads, and the average territory (area) of the ecological production in compare with dates of 2006, grow up at 23 percent and made hectare.

Of late year’s forms new trade structures because of the quantity of ecological production. In the cities Vilnius, Kaunas, Biržai specialised shops of ecological production are working. In supermarkets works specialised sectors for the ecological food production. Of late year’s forms new trade structures because of the quantity of ecological production. In the cities Vilnius, Kaunas, Biržai specialised shops of ecological production are working. In supermarkets works specialised sectors for the ecological food production.

Benefit Those service providers who have “Green Key” can more easily get EUFlower. Those service providers who have “Green Key” can more easily get EUFlower. Eco-labelling program and development of ecological farming provides financial benefits by attracting tourist and as a marketing tool. Eco-labelling program and development of ecological farming provides financial benefits by attracting tourist and as a marketing tool. In most cases investments in environmental accommodation service providing pays back after 3- 7 years. In most cases investments in environmental accommodation service providing pays back after 3- 7 years.

SOME DATA OF AGROTOURISM IN LITHUANIA

The number of farmstead and places there Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania

Number of guests in farmstead from Lithuania and foreign countries (thousand) Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania

The number of guest in farmstead Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania

The Agro tourism service offers for the guests: Accommodation, nourishment and entertainment provided by the local traditions; Accommodation, nourishment and entertainment provided by the local traditions;

Activities in nature: walking, cycling, skiing, canoeing, horse riding, fishing, hunting, collecting mushrooms and berries. Activities in nature: walking, cycling, skiing, canoeing, horse riding, fishing, hunting, collecting mushrooms and berries.

The lessons and demonstration of cooking of traditional food, made traditional handicraft. The lessons and demonstration of cooking of traditional food, made traditional handicraft.

Culture activities: local museum, museum, games, costumes, feast. etc. Culture activities: local museum, museum, games, costumes, feast. etc.

You are welcome to visit country tourism in Lithuania