Development of water tourism as nature and active tourism component in Latvia and Estonia Kick-off Meeting , Sigulda, Latvia

OPENING OF THE MEETING Project „Riverways” objectives, challenges and expected results Aiga Petkēvica, Kurzeme planning region administration, Project manager Project activities in the South – Estonia Elo 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 region Challenges 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 region Cooperation – opportunity for water tourism development in Vidzeme region Ineta Puriņa, Vidzeme Planning region, Project coordinator Project activities in the Kurzeme region New water tourism products in Kurzeme – basis for diverse water and active tourism opportunities Aiga Petkēvica, Kurzeme planning region, Project manager 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 Estonia Imbi Rüütel, Theme Manager (Nature Holiday), Estonian Tourist Board/ Enterprise EstoniaManager (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 entrepreneurs Levo Tohva, Adventurer, blogger, lecturer, entrepreneur and developer

3 QuestionAnswer ProgrammeLatvia – Estonia cross-border cooperation programme Project titleDevelopment of water tourism as nature and active tourism component in Latvia and Estonia Short titleRiverways Title in LatvianŪdenstūrisma kā dabas un aktīva tūrisma komponentes attīstība Latvijā un Igaunijā Title in EstonianVeeturismi kui loodus- ja aktiivse turismi ühe komponendi arendamine Lätis ja Eestis Project indexEU Implementation period 24 months / – 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 ,70 EUR, including EUR ERDF and ,70 EUR National financing Infrastructure56,7 % from total budget – EUR Project ID

4 Project idea The 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

5 Project 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%

6 Project regions Cooperation 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

7 Project – 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 WP2 Competence and product development WP2 Competence and product development WP3 Infrastructure WP3 Infrastructure WP4 Marketings WP4 Marketings 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 WP2 Competence and product development WP2 Competence and product development WP3 Infrastructure WP3 Infrastructure WP4 Marketings WP4 Marketings Main Project activities

10 WP1 Project management and coordination WP2 Competence and product development WP2 Competence and product development WP3 Infrastructure WP3 Infrastructure WP4 Marketing WP4 Marketing Main Project activities  20 rivers will be cleaned by removal of fallen trees, household waste and garbage  125 Information stands  232 Signs to orientate tourists (road signs and signs on the rivers)  107 resting areas along the rivers  26 floating bridges, timber pontoons  7 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 WP2 Competence and product development WP2 Competence and product development WP3 Infrastructure WP3 Infrastructure WP4 Marketing WP4 Marketing Main Project activities – WP4

Aiga Petkēvica Kurzeme Planning Region Project manager Phone ; Skype: aiga_petkevica e-pasts: