Nature, cultural heritage and tourism innovations in Sigulda, LATVIA Gunta Zaķīte Head of Sigulda District Tourism Information Centre Workshop TOURISM INNOVATIONS: SHARING EXPERIENCES Open Days

LATVIA Tourism in Latvia is getting bigger every year PERSONS CROSSING LATVIA’S BORDER. Non – residents. YearNumber of border crossings, thsd Data from The Central Statistical Bureau in Latvia

Changes of tourism structure New local destinations Competition among destinations Examples of innovations in Latvia

The Naval Port prison/ Liepaja The Naval Port prison or guardhouse. The building was erected about 1900 and until 1997 it has served as a place where military persons served their terms for breach of discipline. Ever since the first years of its existence it has been a place to break people’s lives and suppress their free will. With powers changing, its prisoners changed as well – among them there were revolutionaries, seamen and non-commissioned officers of the tsarist army, deserters from the German Wehrmacht, enemies of the people in Stalin’s times, soldiers of both the Soviet army and the Latvian army and other rebels. Mysterious and inexplicable things are noticed in the guard house – rumbling footsteps, self-unscrewing of electrical bulbs, unaccountable opening of closed doors of the cells … but the appearance of impossible images has come as the most unpleasant surprise to many a visitor. WHAT EXPECTS YOU IN THE NAVAL PORT PRISON: Tours of the prison and the museum Surprise tour Show “Behind the Bars” Extreme night 24 hours VIP programme North forts For special occasions Tours of Naval Port and Liepāja

Cinevilla/ Tukums Cinevilla Backlot is the only open air film decoration in Baltic States with many possibilities for filmmaking. The decoration is built so that it can be used and adjusted for various filming projects. The decoration was started to build in May 2004 for the needs of the historical drama "Rīgas sargi" (Defenders of Riga). The story of the film takes place in Riga in 1919, therefore film sets are consisting of historical buildings and objects thus creating the sense of reality of the beginning of the 20th century. Excurssions Soldier’s tour Historical costume rental Making of own film Backlot pub and accomodation Spaces for events Photostudio WHAT EXPECTS YOU IN THE CINEVILLA BACKLOT:

SIGULDA DISTRICT Established in Sigulda + Sigulda parish + More parish Population – Territory – sq.km Distance from Riga – 54 km River – Gauja with an excellent valley 2007 = anniversary 2008 = 1928 Sigulda = city

Sigulda – one of the oldest tourist destinations in Latvia Gūtmaņa ala – Gutmana cave

Unique values of Sigulda Nature Cultural-historical heritage Innovations

Mežakaķis Opened – 2001 – first in Latvia. Is high wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip slides. All set high up in the tree tops. Ropes and boards have been used to create four courses of varying difficulty and are meant for people of all ages.

Tobbogan, chairlift and others Opened – This is a dry land or ice free bobsled course and chairlift. On course there are twelve curve, two small jumps, and one “compression”. A max speed of 40 km/hr can be reached. Adventure park “Tarzans” opened – A network of rope zip slides in the forest of Gauja National Park.

Aerodium Opened – Aerodium is the free flight simulator - first vertical wind tunnel in Eastern Europe. It breaks gravity rules and allows you to fly with the help of newest Technologies! Aerodium base is where the spirit of adventure is combined with security guarantee delivered by new technologies. It is a place for professional athletes, as well as just adventurous friends and colleagues. Goal is to create a popular practice environment for skydivers, teams representing different kinds of sports, and military units, as well as any other team-building programs and part of open-air entertainment among groups of friends.

Bungee-jumping Cable car opened in 1969, it is the only one aerial cable-way in the Baltic States. It was built on cooperation between Sigulda and Georgia city Chiatura specialists. The length of the cable-way from one station to another is 1200m, height (in the mid-span over the River Gauja) is 40-42m. At the weekends the ones who are the fans of extreme feelings have a possibility to do bungee jumping from the carriage. A beautiful sight of the River Gauja primeval valley is seen from the cable-way

Observe Sigulda upside down by bungee jumping from the cable-car!

Bobsleigh and Sleigh Run “Sigulda” Only one in the Baltic States. It was erected in 1986 using plans designed by the Leipzig sports science centre and built by specialists from Sarajevo. It is 1200 m long with a 220 m braking zone, has 16 turns, and maximum speed is 125 km/h. Foreign as well as local teams use the track. Many Latvian bobsleigh, luge, ans skeleton athletes come from Sigulda. The track has also hosted several international races. Possibilities for tourists - rides with winter and summer bobs.

Magnetic card “Siguldas’ stick 24 h” City card “Siguldas spieķis” - new tourism product by Sigulda Region Tourism Association. The City card “Siguldas spieķis” is the key to unique Sigulda experience for the individual travelers. City card gives for one free entry to all main sights, museum and attractions along with wide variety of discounts in accommodation, restaurants, bicycle rent and other places in Sigulda District. City card is valid for 24 hours.

Welcome to Sigulda!