Stakeholders group established in Latvia
Ministry of Economics of Latvia is one of the Interreg Europe program BRANDtour project partners. According to the requirements of the Interreg Europe program, Ministry of Economics has established a stakeholders group, consisting of representatives from different kind of organisations involved in tourism policy planning in Latvia, such as Investment and Development Agency in Latvia, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Ministry of Culture, Vidzeme University of Applied Science, Regional planning authorities, tourism information centers, tourism SME’s etc.
The aim of the stakeholders group is to provide qualitative consultations and participate in the decision making processes regarding the BRANDtour project activities.
The first stakeholders meeting has been held on 14th June. Stakeholders have been introduced with BRANDtour project – aim of the project, main activities and opportunities to participate in the project activities. Taking into account that during the project Ministry of Economics is planning to review existing policy planning documents and policy priorities in tourism sector, the stakeholders group have been introduced also with Latvian tourism guidelines and the progress made. It can be observed that there is a positive growth in the tourism sector; the number of foreign tourists has increased rapidly, by 8% more than planned, and the hotel occupancy in the off-season has increased. But still Latvia has many challenges to raise the tourist attractions and popularize Latvia as attractive tourism destination. During the BRANDtour project, the discussion on how to promote the creativity and development of small and medium sized enterprises for the development of new tourism products for Latvian market as well as external markets, will be continued .