On February 1 concluded the project “Development of eco-tourism by using water resources in Latvia and Lithuania” (Learn Eco Travel), launched by seven partners in Latgale and Aukštaitija, during which, at the period from May, 2018, the local governments and organisations carried out various and diverse activities to develop environmentally friendly tourism in the region.

The partners of the project were the municipalities of Preili, Riebini and Aglona in Latvia, the districts of Anyksciai and Moletai, Panevezys, as well as the regional parks of Sartu and Grazute in Lithuania, and they were oriented in two main directions – to promote the attractiveness of these areas in the eyes of tourists, both, by purchasing the active recreational equipment available to tourists for free, and educating service providers and municipalities on eco-tourism, at the same time making the recreational facilities available to people with special needs.

According to Inese Matisane, the project manager, who was also the author of the idea: “The results of the project have been achieved. The local governments and organisations involved already have a number of positive benefits – the recreational sites were equipped with the active tourism equipment (SUP boards, catamarans, etc.), leading, for example, to a significant increase in tourist numbers in Aglona last summer. And, in the future, the number of visitors and holidaymakers will only increase, as people become more aware of the available free equipment, thereby increasing the number of customers for other tourism providers as well. I am most pleased that we purchased equipment for people with disabilities in Preili, Moletai and Sartu and Grazute regional parks, so that they can enjoy the joy of water. As this, unfortunately, is one of the target groups of tourists, who have not had many adapted recreational places in Latvia and Lithuania so far in the waters with adequate equipment.”

For these water facilities to continue to be attractive to tourists, the municipalities of Preili, Panevezys and Anyksciai purchased water mowers and a sludge pump. Similarly, there is an application “Pure Water” that allows visitors of lakes, rivers and ponds to try to determine the water quality of a particular body water, as well as to learn how to recognize animals and plants living in water and ashore. On its turn, the three developed tourism routes will allow to plan the journey, including one that brings together sites and facilities available to people with special needs.

The promotion of tourism is a complex measure – not only the improvement of recreational sites is necessary, but also the education of service providers and cooperation between entrepreneurs and municipalities. Therefore, the project involved training of entrepreneurs and natural guides involved in tourism, inviting to think about the environmental issues and the development of natural tourism. Also, the development of the “Ecotourism Development Strategy in years 2019-2023 in cross-border areas” is also a practical document containing specific recommendations for each municipality involved in the project, in order to promote environmentally friendly tourism. As I. Matisane points out: “It is important that people travel not as simple consumers, but as responsible tourists, both, in terms of the environment and in terms of people.”

The information about the project results is available on partners’ home pages – www.preili.lv, www.riebini.lv, www.aglona.lv, www.moletai.lt, www.anyksciai.lt, www.panevezys.lt un http://sartaigrazute.am.lt/.

About the project

The project “Development of eco-tourism by using water resources in Latvia and Lithuania” (LEARN ECO TRAVEL) No. LLI-349 is implemented with the support of the Interreg V-A Latvian-Lithuanian programme year 2014 – 2020 from May 2, 2018 until November 1, 2019. The aim of the project is to develop the tourism opportunities in Latgale and Aukštaitija, improving tourist recreational places at water sites and creating new eco-tourism products and services, thereby increasing the number of visitors in Latvian and Lithuanian border regions. The total cost of the project is EUR 618 194,06, the co-financing of the European Regional Development Fund – EUR 525 464,95 and the co- financing of the project partners – EUR 92 729,11, including the co-financing of Preili Municipality – EUR 24 973,20. The managing partner of the project: Preili Municipality Council, project partners: Riebini Municipality Council and Aglona Municipality Council (Latvia), Anyksciai District Municipality, Moletai District Municipality, Panevezys Municipality and Sartu and Grazute Regional Park Directorates (Lithuania). Sīkāka informācija www.latlit.eu vai www.preili.lv.

This publication has been prepared with financial support from the European Union. The content of this publication is entirely the responsibility of Preili Municipality, and it does not, under any circumstances, constitutes an official position of the European Union.