The expansion of cultural tourism over recent decades has played a crucial role in promotion and protection of tangible and intangible heritage world-wide. Two Baltic countries – Lithuania and Latvia – are also well-known for the countries’ cultural heritage objects (esp. mansions), little altered natural surroundings, resort traditions, and many other things.

Both countries have been demonstrating a huge interest in ecotourism and are emphasizing the need to protect cultural objects and to efficiently use regional heritage for the benefit of both countries and the EU in general.

The project „Joint eco-sign for Lithuania’s-Latvia’s restaurants and hotels in cultural objects“ which was implemented in Latvia and Lithuania from 2017 through the end of 2019, has developed and validated a methodology and labeling criteria of the eco-labeling system for hospitality businesses in heritage objects.

Twenty of the most beautiful heritage sites in Latvia and Lithuania, operating as hotels or restaurants, have been awarded the opportunity to be called an eco-labeled company. At the end of the project, these sites met 42 criteria of 126 mandatory ones under the concerned eco-labeling scheme. Eco-label certificates were therefore awarded to the following heritage objects in Latvia and Lithuania:

Arendoles Manor

Kuldigas Manor

Jaunpils Pils

Kuksu Manor

Mezotnes Manor

Jaunmoku Pils

Skrundas Manor

Mazmezotnes Manor

Paliesiai Manor

Pakruojis Manor

Burbiškis Manor

Angel’s Mill

Kryžkelė Tavern

Šlyninkos Mill

Hotel Romantic

Michaelson Hotel

Babtynas-Žemaitkiemis Manor

Raudondvaris Manor

Hospitality Complex “Monte Pacis”

Užventis Manor

Project results, methodological and educational materials have contributed to the increase of tourist arrivals as well as their visit duration to the newly labelled cultural heritage sites in Lithuania and Latvia. Eco labelled hotels expected 277 849 guests and visitors during the project period 2016-2018.

The newly introduced eco-sign have raised and will continue raising the standards for restaurants and hotels in cultural heritage areas.  For encouraging hotels and restaurants to start more friendly business and to introduce them to sustainable business principles, some educational materials were developed. The project partners expect that new hotels and restaurants will make use of the materials in the future to promote protection of heritage objects as well as to promote local culture various products of the objects.

Project partners have created a Cultural Heritage Trail. It covers the most exciting Latvian and Lithuanian heritage sites, which are providing unique hospitality services and have been attributed with special eco sign tree.

Results of the completed project will undoubtedly benefit visitors and/or consumers of hotel and restaurant services, and will increase the countries’ competitive advantage.

 

More information – Eglė Ližaitytė  info@lvra.lt, 370 686 51148

Project „Joint eco sign for Lithuania‘s and Latvia‘s restaurants and hotels in cultural objects“, No. LLI-064 (JESLL).  The project was carried out according to the Interreg V-A Latvia – Lithuania Programme 2014-2020. The ERDF support was EUR 43437.27. The total budget was EUR 51102.67. Leading partner – Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Project Partner – Latvian Hotel and Restaurant Association.