Baltic Country Holidays news The latest news from Baltic Country Holidays - travel and accommodations in the Baltic states. We offer reservation of accommodations and tours in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. en Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200 lauku@celotajs.lv girts@celotajs.lv <![CDATA[Meeting of the "Baltic Nature Tourism" project team in Tallinn]]> On March 11 and 12, the Baltic Nature Tourism project team from Latvia and Estonia met for a spring meeting in Tallinn.
Baltic Nature Tourism's platform balticnaturetourism.com, created last year, currently unites more than 100 entrepreneurs in Latvia and Estonia. Its purpose is to provide a starting point for nature tourism entrepreneurs in Latvia and Estonia to reach the UK market. Baltic Nature Tourism is not a reservation system, but an online platform where it is easy for travelers and tour operators to find the offer they are interested in and communicate directly with entrepreneurs by making a reservation without an intermediary.

During the meeting, we looked back at the work done so far and together we planned the upcoming activities.

>>> Presentaion (Asnate Ziemele, Lauku celotajs, Latvia)
>>> Presentation (Anna Saļņikova, Lauku celotajs, Latvia)
>>> Photo gallery 

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Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2024/UK_kopbilde_Tallinn.jpeg?size=260
<![CDATA[Cruise for all the captains of tourism industry]]> The networking cruise for all the captains of tourism industry. Networking on a ship - is it possible? Yes, it is! On the way from Helsinki to Stockholm we were participating in discussion about tourism in the Baltics with the representatives of key players of the industry from Germany, Mediterranean, North America, Latin America, South East Asia, Japan, India and Caucasus.

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Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/unnamed-12.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[The Future of Nature Tourism in the Nordics: Helsinki and Stockholm, November 13-14, 2023"]]> On the 13th and 14th of November the future of Nordic nature tourism is discussed. 

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Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/captain_cruise.webp?size=260
<![CDATA[Participation in the "Smart Wednesday" of the Latvian Rural Forum]]> On October 25, we participated in the "Smart Wednesday" organized by the Latvian Rural Forum to present one of our latest projects "Change Creators. Innovative business models for the non-urban creative sectors". The main aim of the project is to contribute to innovation, sustainability and resilience of the alternative cultural and creative places (ACaCPs) located on the sparsely populated areas through discovering, testing and introducing new business models and audience development models.

During the online meeting, we informed about the project idea, goals, planned works and already completed tasks. We also shared the conclusions and recommendations that arose during the national research, surveying and interviewing alternative culture and creative places in Latvia.

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Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2024/Vieda-tresdiena-25-10-2023-.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Pieredzes apmaiņas brauciens Kurzemes reģionā]]> Lauku ceļotājs no 18. līdz 20. oktobrim projekta "Pamatzināšanu uzlabošana tūrismā ieinteresēto personu vidū aizsargājamās dabas teritorijās ilgtspējīgākam tūrismam Ziemeļvalstu – Baltijas reģionā" ietvaros organizēja pieredzes apmaiņas braucienu tūrisma uzņēmēju pārstāvjiem no Igaunijas, Zviedrijas un Latvijas.

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Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/KnowNature_study_tour_2023.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Our products on webinar on Nature Tourism]]> The Nature Tourism is one of tourism's fastest growing sectors. On October 19, Nature tourism experts from across the Baltic and Nordic region discused the emergence and development of nature-based holidays and how experiential travel is now such an important and often-requested option for our customers today. The webinar was attended by participants who are able to see and hear of the latest products to emerge in the sector and expected developments in the future, all part of the journey towards sustainable travel.
 
​​​Panellists:

  • Asnate Ziemele, President, Baltic Nature Tourism, Latvia & Estonia (>>> Presentation - PDF)
  • Matijs Babris, President, Latvian Nature Tourism Association (>>> Presentation - PDF)
  • Sylvia Adams, Founder, Amazing Nature Scandinavia, Sweden
  • Åsmund Bakke, Owner, Folgefonni Glacier Team
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Thu, 19 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/BNT_Asnate_ppt.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Accessible hiking trails workshop and a hike on "Jūrtaka" - Baltic Coastal Hiking" for the Year of E9 / November 7-8]]> The community of hiking enthusiasts continues to grow; therefore, the Latvian Rural Tourism Association "Lauku ceļotājs" has come up with an initiative to make long-distance hiking routes "The Forest Trail / Mežtaka" and "The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route / Jūrtaka" more accessible to various segments of the society, including families with young children, seniors, people with mobility difficulties, or other limitations. In collaboration with organizations representing these community groups and project partners from Latvia and Estonia, environmental accessibility solutions will be developed, providing the opportunity for a wider range of the community to enjoy the hiking experience.

>>> Summary (presentations, photos, videos)

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Wed, 11 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/Accessible_hiking_workshop_November_7-8-cover.png?size=260
<![CDATA[The second meeting in the project "Change creators"]]> From September 21 to 22, the team of the project "Change Creators. Innovative business models for the non-urban creative sectors" met in Ascoli Piceno, Italy. It was the second meeting of partners to discuss what has already been done in the project and what is still planned.

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Mon, 02 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2024/Change_creators_Italy_2023.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Nature Travel Eco Code in Latvia]]> The Code of Conduct for nature travel in Latvia provides practical guidance to visitors on how to enjoy the country's beautiful natural surroundings while being environmentally friendly and safe. It answers all questions related to traveling in nature in Latvia.

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Tue, 26 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/3.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Forest and Coastal Hiking Trails' accessibility improvement for different social groups]]> On September 18th & 19th, in Riga, 10 Latvian and Estonian tourism organizations met together and started work on a new project - Forest and Coastal Hiking Trails' accessibility improvement for different social groups. The accessibility of hiking trails will be focused on 5 target groups - 1) people with functional impairments (movement, vision, hearing); 2) for seniors; 3) for families with small children, i.e. strollers; 4) for school-aged children; 5) for people with a language or cultural barrier. Trail accessibility will be improved in separate phases.
The project will be implemented over 3 years - from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026. The leading partner of the project is the Latvian Rural Tourism Association "Lauku Celotajs".

>>> Agenda (PDF, ENG)
>>> Presentation (Asnāte Ziemele, LC, PDF, ENG)
>>> Presentation (Iveta Šķiliņa, RPR, PDF, ENG)
>>> Presentation (Elin Priks, Setomaa, PDF, ENG)
>>> Presentation (Ilze Liepa, VPR, PDF, ENG)
>>> Photos (Aija Neilande KPR, PDF, ENG)

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Tue, 19 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/Hiking-Kick-off-group-photo.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Nordic International Cider Awards competition (NICA) and cider festival to take place in Riga, Latvia, September 6-9]]> The cider-making tradition will be showcased at two international events in Riga: the NICA Cider Competition and the Cider Festival on the first day of the Riga Food exhibition. Diverse cider-related events are scheduled to take place from September 6 to 9.

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Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/NICA2023-Latvia.png?size=260
<![CDATA[INTERREG VOLUNTEER YOUTH]]> The Latvian country tourism association Lauku Celotajs as project beneficiary of the Interreg Central Baltic project "Exporting Baltic Nature Tourism to UK - NAT-TOUR-EXPO" - participates as host organisation in the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative.

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Mon, 29 May 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/RRKFNQa3CRa4B.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Nordic International Cider Awards to Take Place in Riga, Latvia as Part of the Number One Food Fair in the Baltics]]> The annual Nordic International Cider Awards (NICA) will be held from September 6th to 9th as part of "RigaFood 2023," the largest food industry fair in the Baltic region. Cider production is a new industry in Latvia, but already now Latvian natural cider competes on an equal footing with European, Nordic, and global ciders from countries and regions with long-standing cider-making traditions. By organising the NICA competition in Riga this year, we want to showcase the excellent quality and potential of natural cider to become a national beverage, similar to the Nordic countries where cider is served at state receptions as well as social gatherings.

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Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/NICA_baner.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Round table "EU Grant Project MOST - sustainable tourism development vector in Kazakhstan" within the project "MOST"]]> The MOST project between Latvia, Greece, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan ends this June. Within the framework of the project, a round table discussion was held in May on the topic "EU Grant Project MOST - sustainable tourism development vector in Kazakhstan". Representatives from agencies, associations, hotels, travel and consulting companies gathered at the event in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. We also participated in it to share our experience with entrepreneurs both in relation to our environmental quality mark "Green Certificate" and how to overcome rising prices for services and how to develop infrastructure. Also, our expert Juris received many good words for the useful and valuable seminars he created and led during the project for entrepreneurs in the tourism industry in Asian countries.

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Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/346769434_931364068104850_4614354213670781421.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Latvijas un Igaunijas dabas tūrisma projekta komanda tiekās Igaunijā]]> Turpinot darbu pie dabas tūrisma produkta izstrādes, 10. un 11. maijā uz saulainās Prangli salas Igaunijā tikāmies ne vien projekta partneri, bet arī Latvijas un Igaunijas uzņēmēji, kas sniedz dabas tūrisma produktus, projekta vadības grupa un Apvienotās Karalistes dabas tūrisma eksperti. Esam uz pareizā ceļa un mums ir plāns kā aizsniegt UK tirgu. Projekta partneru tikšanos papildināja iespēja iepazīties ar Prangli salas dabas tūrisma piedāvājumu - braucieni ar jūras kajakiem, velo maršruti iepazīšana, pārgājienu takas, u.c.

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Fri, 12 May 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/5.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[A new project "Change Creators. Innovative business models for the non-urban creative sectors"]]> We have started work on the project "Change creators. Innovative business models for the non-urban creative sectors.". The main aim of the project is to contribute to innovation, sustainability and resilience of the alternative cultural and creative places located on the sparsely populated areas through discovering, testing and introducing new business models and audience development models. The project brought together partners from four countries: Poland, Sweden, Italy and Latvia.

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Mon, 08 May 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/Dals_L%C3%A5nged2023_photo-Robert_Curran-M%C3%B6tesplat.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[First meeting in the project "Improving baseline knowledge among tourism stakeholders in Protected Nature Areas for more sustainable tourism in Nordic – Baltic region"]]> From April 17 to 19, the first meeting in the project "Improving baseline knowledge among tourism stakeholders in Protected Nature Areas for more sustainable tourism in Nordic – Baltic region" took place in the Kullaberg nature reserve, which is located in the Skåne region in Sweden. During the meeting, the partners introduced their organizations and discussed the activities and tasks planned in the project. The partners visited Kullaberg visitor center and local businesses - tourism service providers and did the hiking route.

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Mon, 24 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/IMG_3505.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[The MOST project is slowly coming to an end]]> The MOST project between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Greece and Latvia is slowly coming to an end. In the course of the project, we shared experience and practical knowledge about sustainable and nature-friendly tourism management, using our environmental quality mark "Green Certificate" as an example. Together with Central Asian colleagues, we worked on new ideas for tourism products and their marketing, highlighting the local identity of these countries and strengthening cooperation between tourism organizations, local communities and tourism entrepreneurs.

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Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/337556725_1421844241890837_749033768722643817.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Baltic Nature Tourism products for UK tourists]]> This year, we have launched a new Baltic nature tourism project with the aim of developing a joint Latvian and Estonian nature tourism product adapted to the interest of UK tourists, positioning it in the market using a special marketing campaign, and increasing sales volumes.

We are looking for service providers who offer nature tourism services and wish to join this nature tourism web platform for the UK market.
To get involved, please fill out the application form, indicating the nature tourism services you provide: https://forms.gle/zrEXFrH5PBjvQocB9.

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Thu, 16 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/Baltic_nature_tourism_LC.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Fourth steering committee meeting of the project "MOST"]]> The MOST project team met for the fourth steering committee meeting online via Zoom platform on February 2. They discussed the work done in the third year, as well as the tasks planned until the end of the project. We, "Lauku ceļotājs", as before, continued to share our knowledge of sustainable tourism and environmentally friendly management. In February, our expert Juris spent three weeks in the Uzbekistan's cities Bukhara and Khiva, where he shared his experience with tourism industry professionals in this country. He also worked together with entrepreneurs on new ideas for tourism products - for example, a pilaf cooking master class was organized in the old town to popularize the city's culinary heritage. Juris also visited various tourist attractions and enjoyed the hospitality of local residents in order to get to know Uzbekistan's tourism offer better. In the third year of the project, we also got involved in creating marketing activities to promote the project and its achieved results to a wider audience.

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Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/4_SC_meeting_MOST.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Starting a new project - exporting Baltic Nature Tourism to UK]]> Kick-off project partner meeting, 25th of January, 2023, Riga.
The objectives of the project are to develop a joint Latvian-Estonian nature tourism product tailored for the UK market, to launch it through a dedicated marketing campaign, and to achieve sales. The nature tourism product will be based on individual SME nature tourism products, professionally packaged and accessible from an innovative specialized nature tourism web platform linking directly product providers with the market - free independent travellers, specialized interest groups, and tour operator companies specialized in Baltic countries. The nature tourism product will include wildlife and birding holidays, nature photography, soft adventure: hiking, walking, cycling, boating, and also touring programs to include elements and values of nature, e.g., botanical, wildlife spotting, wellness/Spa, food and foraging. This concept meets the current demand in the UK market where nature tourism, escape to nature, rural holidays, outdoors wildlife are on-trend words.

Presentations:

Exporting Baltic Nature Tourism to UK Asnāte Ziemele, "Lauku ceļotājs"
Central Baltic Programme 2021-2027 / NAT-TOUR EXPO kickoff meeting Samu Numminen, Central Baltic Programme

>>> Meeting minutes

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Thu, 26 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/20230125_kickoff_meeting_photo2.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Chemical weapons at the bottom of the Baltic Sea]]> An important and frightening part of the "legacy" of the First and Second World Wars - CHEMICAL WEAPONS - has been sunk to the bottom of the Baltic Sea. You could call it a kind of time bomb. Below are just a few facts described in scientific publications.

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Tue, 03 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2023/karamuzejs.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Sixth meeting in the project "RuralTour: A training programme for sustainable rural tourism"]]> From December 13 to 15, the team of the project "Rural Tour: Training Program for Sustainable Rural Tourism" met for the sixth meeting of the Steering Committee. It was coordinated by Trabzon Ortahisar Municipality and held in Trabzon, Turkey. For several reasons, partners from Ireland only joined online via Zoom platform.

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Tue, 20 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/WhatsAppImage2022-12-15at161826.jpeg?size=260
<![CDATA[Rudens un ziema - Latvijā visstiprāko vēju laiks]]> Rudens un ziema Latvijā ir visstiprāko vēju laiks. Arī visspēcīgākās vētras un orkāni (par orkānu dēvējam viesuļvētru, ja vēja vidējais ātrums 10 minūtēs sasniedz un pārsniedz 32,7 m/s) mūsu jūras krastā bijuši g.k. laikā no septembra līdz janvārim. Vai šajā gadu mijā piedzīvosim vēl kādu stipru vētru? Pievienotajā attēlā redzamas pagājušā gadsimta spēcīgākās vētras. Sistemātiska vēja brāzmu reģistrācija tika uzsākta tikai 20. gs. piecdesmito gadu otrajā pusē, tāpēc šajā sarakstā nav iekļauta, piemēram, 1953. g. janvāra/februāra mijas vētra, kad vējš brāzmās esot sasniedzis 34 m/s. To uzskata arī par vienu no postošākajām dabas katastrofām Baltijas jūras reģionā. Minētajā vētrā Anglijā gāja bojā 307 cilvēki, Skotijā – 19, Beļģijā – 28, Nīderlandē – 1836, bet jūrā noslīka – 361 cilvēks. Kuru no vētrām Tu piedzīvoji un atceries?

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Fri, 09 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/veji.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[BESTbelt conference in Montenegro]]> From November 1 to 4, the BESTbelt conference was held in Ulcinj, Montenegro. During it, they talked about the strengthening of the European "Green Belt" (GB) territory, the creation of new green jobs and the potential of the GB for climate protection and nature restoration. It was also possible to hear success stories about the restoration and protection of nature in this area. There was a fair with traditional food and drink from the GB area, as well as various group activities and trips to visit local best practices, learn more about them, exchange ideas and discuss the potential of green jobs, restoration measures, positives and negatives aspects.

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Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/2ecb9a95-0776-4ec8-86de-271c38085df3.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Izveidots jauns apmācību kurss un rokasgrāmata]]> Esam izveidojuši jaunu apmācību kursu “Zaļākas nākotnes prakses. Padomi tūrismā iesaistītajiem uzņēmējiem - vietējās pārtikas, dzērienu ražošanas un pakalpojumu sniedzējiem.”. Tas veidots kā praktisks padomdevējs MVU esošās darbības pilnveidei. Ikvienam uzņēmējam jāizprot galvenie biznesa elementi, jāizstrādā uzņēmuma un produkta vai pakalpojuma vērtības piedāvājums saviem klientiem un jāizprot, kā kļūt efektīvākiem augošās konkurences apstākļos.

Kurss izstrādāts, balstoties uz rokasgrāmatu "Zaļākas nākotnes prakses. Padomi tūrismā iesaistītajiem uzņēmējiem - vietējās pārtikas, dzērienu ražošanas un pakalpojumu sniedzējiem.".

>>> ROKASGRĀMATA (PDF)

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Wed, 02 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/Greener_future_practice_lv.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Jauns projekts "Zaļā Josta" - vienoti noteikumi atpūtai dabā visās piekrastes teritorijās Latvijā]]> Pieaugošā popularitāte atpūtai dabā rada arvien lielāku spiedienu uz vidi un bioloģisko daudzveidību. Tā rezultātā notiek darbības, kas pat bez īpaša nodoma rada negatīvu ietekmi uz vidi. Lai risinātu šo izaicinājumu, šajā projektā tiks izstrādāti vienoti noteikumi atpūtai dabā visās piekrastes teritorijās Latvijā. Vienoto noteikumu priekšlikumi tiks balstīti uz apvienotām ieinteresēto pušu interesēm: esošo pašvaldību un dabas aizsardzības noteikumu saskaņošana, vietējo kopienu ekonomiskās un atpūtas intereses, kā arī tūristu intereses. Projekts nodrošinās tīklošanās platformu visām ieinteresētajām pusēm, kur satikties, apspriest izaicinājumus un risinājumus, informēt par savām interesēm un argumentiem un sasniegt kopīgu rezultātu.

Projektā gaidāmos rezultātus un paredzamo taustāmo ietekmi pēc projekta darbības laika lasiet šeit: https://www.celotajs.lv/lv/project/35.

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Wed, 02 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/1_Coastal_Latvia_Juris_Smalinskis.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Fifth meeting in the project "RuralTour: A training programme for sustainable rural tourism"]]> From September 12 to 14, the team of the "Rural Tour: Training Program for Sustainable Rural Tourism" project met at the fifth meeting of the steering committee. It was coordinated by the Italian Travel and Tourism Federation and took place in person in Rome, Italy. Due to unforeseen reasons, partners from Romania only joined online on the Zoom platform.

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Wed, 21 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/20220913_115041.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Baltic cider & food challenge 2022]]> A gastronomic adventure dedicated to Latvian and Baltic natural ciders and their harmony with food, with an emphasis on local small bakeries and cheese producers. Cider makers will share their stories and experience, sommeliers and cider experts from Latvia and abroad will share their recommendations, chefs will discover the best combinations of food and cider to share a unique taste experience with gourmets. Guests are especially invited to appreciate the ciders produced in Latvia and the Baltics in accordance with local products - rye bread or rye flour products and cheese.

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Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/bannerissidradienas640x320_2.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Bread and Cider Festival Invites You to the Āraiši Windmill on July 31!]]> The Bread and Cider festival will mean a meeting between the Rye Road and the Cider Route – two culinary tourism routes which inform visitors about bearers of Latvian identity – traditional rye bread, as well as cider that is made from natural Latvian apples.

On July 31, people honour the new harvest of rye bread at the Āraiši windmill. This year the festival will have a broader sound, because Latvian cider made of apples will be involved.  This symbolises the merger of ancient and new traditions. Rye bread has long since been the bearer of ancient Latvian culinary traditions. Cider, in turn, is a new identity product for Latvia, because cider culture began to appear only 30 years or so ago. We are justified to be proud of our bread and cider that is put on the festival table. It can be brought as a housewarming gift or enjoyed on an everyday basis.

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Wed, 20 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/Maizes_un_Sidra_svetki_420X300mmweb2.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Rural Lifestyle as a Tourism Offer]]> As we observe public interest in a healthy and natural life environment, there is a new way of learning about countryside tourism.  This allows urban residents to “adapt” to a rural life model so as to think about a lifestyle change or simply spend a few days like a “rural resident.”  This is a story about a lifestyle that changes accustomed ideas about the countryside, creating a rural environment which merges traditional and contemporary values.

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Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/_OBF6418_web.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Fourth meeting in the project "RuralTour: A training programme for sustainable rural tourism"]]> From June 14 to 16, the team of the project "Rural Tour: Training Program for Sustainable Rural Tourism" met for the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee. It was coordinated by Momentum Marketing Services and held in Carrick on Shannon, Ireland. For several reasons, some partners only joined online via Zoom platform.

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Tue, 21 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/20220615_114011.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Put on your hiking boots and get ready for the Baltic Trails!]]> Fully completed – with marking signs, maps, guidebooks and specialised website – the Baltic Trails are there offering marvellous nature experiences to hikers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route and the Forest Trail are two long distance hiking trails in the Baltic States. Jointly referred to as the Baltic Trails, they open Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for the world’s hiking community, and are linked with the European network of long-distance hiking paths. Trail developers have put great effort in exploring the trail in full length, involving local communities to set the best route and prepare for visitors, marking and signposting the trails, producing guidebooks and maps. Hiking in the Baltic States means enjoying great nature diversity and true local hospitality. 

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Thu, 02 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/Forest_trail.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Third partner meeting of the project "Nordplus Adult"]]> The third meeting of the project "Nordplus Adult" will take place in Røros, Norway, from 23 to 26 May, during which the completed study material in Latvian and Estonian will be discussed. Good practices examples, pictures and videos will also be discussed. Once the material is accompanied by examples and illustrative material, it will be sent for design. During the meeting, it is planned to get to know the surroundings of Røros and Trondheim and to visit local producers.

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Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/Events/2022/220523_Roros_Norway/20220524_091125.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[We are developing a training material for rural tourism]]> We are developing a training material for the project “Rural Tour: A training programme for sustainable rural tourism”. It will cover formal, informal and non-formal vocational education and training. The material will be suitable for business owners, hotel, restaurant and entertainment center managers operating in the rural tourism industry, as well as potential entrepreneurs.

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Mon, 16 May 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/IMG_4355.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[General meeting of the members of the association "Lauku ceļotājs"]]> On April 7, after more than two years of communication via online, the general meeting of the members of the association "Lauku ceļotājs" took place in person. During the meeting, the president of the association Asnāte Ziemele also told the participants about the project "Reaching greener future in local food & drink production and provider SME sector – innovative and best practice based adult training", the planned work and the results to be achieved.

More information can be found here.

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Mon, 11 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/Nordplus_kopsapulce_Klidzina.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Military Heritage Tourism in Latvia and Estonia, new in the season of 2022/23]]> While military heritage in tourism has obtained an uncomfortable connotation in the context of the present war in Ukraine, we in Latvia and Estonia believe that it is relevant to highlight, through tourism experiences, how our own countries gained and defended independence during 1914-1991.

The attached press release introduces the military heritage tourism offer with more than 600 sites to visit in Latvia and Estonia, route planning options and the military heritage tourism website https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en arranging the sites along a timeline and briefly introducing the most important historical events, individuals and stories.

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Mon, 04 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/Stiprivakarbrivisodien.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Tasks done in the second year of the project "MOST"]]> The Latvian country tourism association “Lauku ceļotājs” is one of the partners in the project “A model for sustainable tourism in Central Asia: Building capacities, creating awareness, introducing technology” (MOST). The second year of the project has already passed, in which we have helped Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to become more sustainable. Our expert Juris Smaļinskis participated in seminars in all three countries to share his knowledge on sustainable tourism and environmentally friendly management. He also spoke about marketing and communication with customers. Juris participated in different inspections of various accommodations and other objects both inside and outside the cities. New and sustainable ideas for tourism products were also worked on with entrepreneurs, such as a pilaf-making workshop in the Old Town in Bukhara, Uzbekistan to promote the city's culinary heritage. Juris has also given interviews to both Latvian and Asian media about the project and its progress.

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Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/Switch_Asia_2nd_year.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Third steering committee meeting of the project "MOST"]]> The team of the project “A model for sustainable tourism in Central Asia: Building capacities, creating awareness, introducing technology” (MOST) met on 17th and 18th of March for the third steering committee meeting. Some of the partners went to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and some of the partners joined via Zoom platform. On the first day, the partners informed about the completed tasks. As planned, in the second year of the project, local entrepreneurs were supported to move towards to more sustainable delivery of their services. Appropriate equipment, support for marketing activities and cooperation opportunities, as well as information on European good practices and funding opportunities at both EU and international level were provided. Entrepreneurs had the opportunity to participate in various discussions with state departments, as well as in seminars with industry professionals who shared their experiences.

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Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/Third_SC_meeting.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Forest Trail Spring Hike: Kandava - Sabile, April 23]]> Join our 17 km scenic Forest Trail section #95 from Kandava to Sabile (Zviedru cepure) Spring Hike on April 23. Bring hiking boots, drinking water, spare socks, and remember to dress accordingly to weather. The hike route starts at 9:00 at Ozolaji open-air stage in Kandava (GPS: 57.030567, 22.773616).

>>> EVENT PROGRAM (PDF).

Registration >>> ej.uz/springhikingfestival.
Registration for the event closes midnight on the 10th of April or earlier if the maximum number of participants is reached. Participation – free.

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Thu, 17 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/ver5.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Seminars for marketing support of the MSMEs in Uzbekistan]]> In February, for three weeks seminars were held for tourism companies in two cities in Uzbekistan: Bukhara and Khiva. An expert from Latvian country tourism association "Lauku ceļotājs", Juris Smaļinskis, also participated in them to share his knowledge about sustainable tourism and environmentally friendly management with tourism industry professionals. New ideas for tourism products were also developed with entrepreneurs, such as a pilaf-making workshop in the Old Town to promote the city's culinary heritage. Juris also visited various tourist attractions and enjoyed the hospitality of the locals to get to know the tourism offer in Uzbekistan better.

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Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/273633178_5085240671497813_764747297287069198.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[The Nordic Marketplace 2022 Workshop]]> Online workshop  - 22nd/23rd February

This will be held ONLINE as two half-day workshops as we are keen to attract buyers who are still either unable or unwilling to travel to workshops. We are also hopeful in having a number of North American and South East Asian buyers

22nd February pm Europe + North American buyers

23rd February am  Europe + South East Asian and Russian buyers 

Prezentācija: RL_products_NordicMarketplace20221.pdf

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Tue, 22 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0200
<![CDATA[Third meeting in the project "RuralTour: A training programme for sustainable rural tourism"]]> The team of the project “Rural Tour: Training Program for Sustainable Rural Tourism” met in the third Steering Committee meeting from 26 to 28 January. It was coordinated by the University of Almeria and took place in Almeria, Spain. For various reasons, some partners only joined online via Zoom platform.

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Wed, 02 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2022/272768229_3211813899079300_857148955334995200.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Round table on the topic "Global and regional challenges to the development of a green economy"]]> On December 22, the round table between targeted MSMEs and local and regional authorities of Kazakhstan with the topic "Global and regional challenges to the development of a green economy" was held. Two people from Latvian country tourism association "Lauku ceļotājs", Asnāte Ziemele and Juris Smaļinskis, participated in it. They talked about state support for the development of sustainable tourism in Latvia.

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Thu, 23 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2021/Round_table_Kazakstan_MOST.png?size=260
<![CDATA[Seminars for marketing support of the MSMEs in Uzbekistan]]> From December 10 to 16 seminars for tourism companies were held in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. An expert from Latvian country tourism association "Lauku ceļotājs", Juris Smaļinkis, participated in them to share his knowledge about sustainable tourism and marketing. All the participants were divided in two groups. During the seminars they learned how to:

  • analyze the current position of their business
  • get tools to analyze tourism needs in the region
  • explore marketing strategies to promote their business in the sustainable tourism market
  • profitably represent and promote their business on the Internet.

The seminar participants also visited several places in Uzbekistan that have the potential to become tourist attractions.

Juris also gave an interview to the local media about the project and the seminars.

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Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2021/IMG_1843.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Seminars for marketing support of the MSMEs in Kazakhstan]]> On December 2, 3 and 4 seminars for marketing support of the MSMEs were held for tourism companies in Kazakhstan. The seminars took place in Nur-Sultan, the capital city of the country. An expert from Latvian country tourism association "Lauku ceļotājs", Juris Smaļinskis, participated in them. The aim of the seminars was to share knowledge about sustainable tourism and environmentally friendly management. Also, Juris talked about marketing and communication with clients.

Juris also had the honor of visiting the Latvian Embassy in Kazakhstan and meeting with the Latvian Ambassador in Kazahkstan Irina Mangule.

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Thu, 09 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2021/263749201_1749595522097970_315800999150544511.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Second partner meeting of the project "Nordplus Adult"]]> The second partner meeting of the Nordplus Adult project was planned for December 4-6 in Kuldiga, Latvia. During the meeting, visits to the Abava winery, the ostrich farm "Nornieki" and the farm shop "Kuldīgas labumi" were planned, experiencing the Christmas market and gaining experience from local food distributors. During the meeting the work already done and planned for the future was discussed, such as the planned training material and its content.

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Wed, 08 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0200
<![CDATA[Seminars for marketing support of the MSMEs in the project MOST]]> On November 16, 17 and 18 seminars for marketing support of the MSMEs were held for Tajik tourism companies. An expert from “Lauku ceļotājs” Juris Smaļinskis participated in them.  Due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions he participated online via Zoom platform. The aim of seminars was to provide to the tourism MSMEs necessary knowledge and information about the methods that they could apply in order to promote their sustainable business and as a result to reach the special market’s segment of eco-travelers.

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Mon, 22 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0200 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2021/1_seminars.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[The Pan-Baltic hiking online conference on November 9]]> The Pan-Baltic hiking online conference on November 9, 2021will celebrate the success of the Baltic Trails (baltictrails.eu) connecting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with the European network of hiking paths as part of the routes E9 (Baltic Coastal Hiking) and E11 (Baltic Forest trail).

The conference will bring together stakeholders sharing experiences in planning, implementation, management and maintenance of long distance cross-border hiking trails. The keynote speeches will present experiences from the Baltics, Sweden and Norway. Presentations will be followed by Baltic panel discussions highlighting challenges and solutions in practical aspects such as local acceptance and support, benefits and sustainability of long distance hiking trails.

Please register to receive the conference Zoom link!

>>>The registration is open until 05.11.2021.
>>> Full programme (PDF).
The conference working language is English.

>>> Contacts and information: anna@celotajs.lv.

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Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/www/news/2021/FB_galvene_Meztakas_konference_online.jpg?size=260
<![CDATA[Project "Nordplus Adult" kick off meeting in Norway]]> The first meeting of the Nordplus Adult project with project partners from Latvia, Estonia and Norway took place from 14 to 16 September in Bergen, Norway. The specific aim of the project is to facilitate adult learning in SME sector. The Online Training „Greener future practices for local food&drink producers and providers" will be a blended learning tool to educate SMEs in food & beverage sector for making their business practices greener and more competitive.

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Mon, 20 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0300 https://www.celotajs.lv/g/Events/2021/210914_Norvegija_Nord_Plus/IMG_0956.jpg?size=260