Involvement of small-scale rural businesses in agritourism Asnāte Ziemele, Latvian Rural Tourism Association International conference “Rural Tourism without Boundaries” Kielce, 11 April 2014

Latvian Country Tourism Association Founded: 1993 Members: ~330 Staff: ~12 Office: in Riga Functions: RT product development Quality control and labelling Povider training and consultations Promotion and marketing (brochures, maps, Internet) Lobbying for interests of members Project implementation

Project: Marketing campaign for development of rural tourism products in all regions of Latvia and their promotion ( ) Aim: To implement a rural tourism marketing campaign for development of rural tourism products based on rural resources and traditional values: local and regional food, culture and rural crafts, rural production.

Minimum criteria for open farms working farm or an individual entrepreneur practicing crafts, engaged in agricultural production or other traditionally rural activities open for visitors in set times or upon request reliable contact details published (e.g., telephone, , web site) relevant conditions and infrastructure to take visitors (e.g., demonstration/tasting room or site, parking, etc.) clear visiting arrangements (visiting times, prices, languages, etc.)

ONLINE DATABASE “COUNTRYSIDE BOUNTY” ca 400 small-scale enterprises

MAP “TASTES OF LATVIA”

GUIDEBOOK “COUNTRYSIDE BOUNTY” AND TOURING ROUTES

PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIRS: Grüne Woche, Berlin Vakantiebeurse, the Netherlands Balttour, Riga Tourest, Tallinn ITB, Berlin MITT, Moscow

PUBLIC DISCUSSION: „OPEN PRODUCTION FARM – BENEFITS FOR OWNERS AND TOURISTS” 189 participants Jānis Dūklavs, the Minister of Agriculture participated in 2 hour discussion with the audience

WHY OPEN FOR VISITORS? ENTREPRENEUR QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS

INFO DAYS – INVITIATION OF CULINARY ROUTE LATVIA

2 ACTION EVENTS – “OPEN DOOR DAYS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE” May 16-18, September 2014 ~140 agricultural farms and production enterprises open for visitors with special offiers/ discounts Information support campaigne – LC

Thank you!