Uncategorized | Nature tourism

February 9, 2025February 9, 2025

Tour Operator / Media Fam Trip, 28-31 January 2025

This FAM trip invites UK tour operators and media representatives to explore winter tourism in Latvia and Estonia. The program includes practical experiences in Latvian sauna rituals, dog sledding, nature hikes and many other nature activities. Participants will also visit local restaurants to sample Baltic cuisine and tour Soomaa National Park in Estonia, known for its bog trails. Through activities and community interactions, the trip
provides insight into regional practices and seasonal tourism opportunities.

The FAM trip kicked off on the 28th of January with a beautiful and spiritual visit to Ziedlejas for a pirts ritual, followed by a stay and dinner at SPA HOTEL EZERI This time, the FAM trip welcomes seven tour operators and media representatives from the UK!

We started the day two with breakfast and an excursion at SPA HOTEL EZERI, then traveled to Dodkepu.lv to meet the huskies and go on a hike with them. The route passed by the historical landmarks of Āraiši, adding a cultural element to the experience.

At Pernigele, we enjoyed a meat tasting, sampling local specialties. Pernigele also provides accommodation with 20 rooms, offering a comfortable stay for visitors.

In the evening, we explored Soomaa National Park, beginning with a lantern wetland hike. The day ended with a locally sourced dinner, herbal tea workshop at the bonfire and a guided sauna ritual, rounding out the experience with traditional Estonian hospitality.

On the third and final day of the FAM trip, the morning began with a kayaking experience in the “Fifth Season” of Soomaa National Park, followed by a wetland hike in the same area leaded by Aivar Ruukel from Soomaa.com. Afterward, we visited two guesthouses—Põnka puhketalu/Põnka guesthouse and Kõveri Guesthouse. At Koveri Guesthouse, we met several Estonian entrepreneurs specializing in wildlife watching. The trip concluded with dinner at Baltvilla restaurant near Riga.

Thanks to all the SMEs that provided an excellent service, the tour guide Valdis Čeičs from Baltic Nature Travel. And the FAM trip organisers LatviaTravel, Eesti Loodusturismi Ühing, Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays, Dabas Tūrisms, Puhkus Maal

The event is part of the campaign for the promotion of Baltic nature tourism in the project “Baltic Nature Tourism – Exporting Baltic Nature Tourism to UK (CB0100030)”, which is implemented with the support of the Central Baltic Program of the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund for 2021-2027. #balticnaturetourism

December 4, 2024

Our Winter Newsletter is out!

❄️Our Winter Newsletter has just been released! Explore the unique experiences of winter, including husky sledding and sledge hikes. Start planning your winter adventure in the Baltics today!⛷️❄️

Read the newsletter here – https://balticnaturetourism.com/en/news

And more adventures that you can scroll through on our website – https://balticnaturetourism.com/en

Newsletter_Baltic_Nature_Tourism_8izdevums(WEB)Lejupielādēt

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024

The World Travel Market London 04.11. – 07.11., 2024.

From November 5th to 7th, representatives from the Baltic Nature Tourism project under the tourism association “Lauku Ceļotājs” were active participants at the “World Travel Market London” tourism exhibition, which attracted visitors and exhibitors from all over the world, with attendance exceeding 40,000.

“Baltic Country Holidays” was represented at the Latvian stand “Latvia.travel,” alongside companies such as “airBaltic,” “Impro Travel,” “Baltic Travel Group,” “Radisson Blu Latvija,” “Liepaja travel,” “Balticvision,” “Con-ex Latvia Tours group,” and “Via Hansa & Borealis.”

Representatives from “Baltic Country Holidays” introduced conference attendees to nature tourism offerings in Latvia and Estonia, meeting with more than 50 other tourism businesses from across the globe. Baltic Nature Tourism project partners from Estonia also participated, with a focus on wildlife tours, which are particularly popular in the UK market.

During the event, the Latvian delegation met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom, Atis Lots, as well as Baltic Nature Tourism project partners in the UK, Paul Wagner and Andy Fairburn from the “Nordic Tourism Collective.”

The first day of the event, November 5th, attracted the largest number of visitors. The Latvian and Lithuanian stands were placed side by side with a unified visual identity, and on the evening of November 5th, the two countries hosted a joint event, “Baltic Drinks,” featuring a business card raffle where winners could receive valuable prizes, including gift cards from “airBaltic,” “Liepaja travel,” “Radisson Blu,” and the Baltic Nature Tourism project partners. Kerry Elliott from “Travelling Dreams” won a trip for two to Latvia from the Baltic Nature Tourism partners.

On Wednesday, November 6th, more than 50 prominent political figures in the tourism industry participated in the “18th Ministers’ Summit,” organised in collaboration with the UN Tourism Organization and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). This year’s summit theme was “The Potential of Emerging Technologies for Good in Tourism.” Policymakers discussed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in shaping the future of travel and hospitality, also considering the ethical implications of these technologies.

On Thursday, November 7th, the Marketing Summit took place, with a detailed analysis of the evolution of travel marketing in the digital age. Panel discussions covered how digital tools drive changes in marketing techniques, emphasising the importance of storytelling throughout the traveller’s journey.

The conference facilitated new partnerships with tour operators from the UK, strengthened collaboration between the Latvian delegation and various companies, and introduced exhibition participants to nature tourism routes and long-distance trails—Coastal trail and Forest trail—in Latvia.