"Balttour" takes part in the world’s biggest travel fairs!

The year 2012 sees “Balttour” not only gathering travellers at Kipsala, but also representing Latvia at world’s biggest travel markets to promote Latvia, “Balttour” and international cooperation of all involved parts.

In mid-January, “Balttour” goes to the annual MATKA Travel Fair, Helsinki, that is the biggest travel fair in the Northern Europe. In February “Balttour” joins the tourism forum "Tourest" to be held in our neighbouring country Estonia. In March "Balttour" will take part in four travel fairs –"Vivattur" in Vilnius, "ITB Berlin", "MITT" in Moscow and "TUR" in Goteborg.

Dainis Bricis, the project manager of “Balttour 2012”, presents Latvia at an international travel fair.

"My experience shows that direct communication is the best way to advertise a travel fair. To expand the geography of “Balttour” participants and to add new yet unseen countries, “Balttour” will do a tough work, addressing participants from other countries. "ITB Berlin", the world’s leading travel fair by number of participants and exhibition area, will be a culmination point,” the project manager Dainis Bricis told.

Latvia national representation at international travel fairs will include Riga, Valmiera, Jurmala, Livani, Sigulda, Ventspils, Jaunjelgava, Liepaja local municipalities, Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre, Ogre and Ikskile County Tourism Development Agency, SIA Laimtūre, SIA Meeting Tour Travel & SPA Consultants, SIA Nikos Travel, SIA Viesnīcu un restorānu centrs, SIA Hotel Jūrmala SPA and other.

Unparalleled offer! Breathtaking river cruises!

Breathtaking river cruises on Russian and Ukrainian waterways, holidays in Ukrainian, Belorussian and Russian sanatoriums from the Kandagar Tour during “Balttour 2012”.

Twice as big representation of Latgale "Balttour 2012"!

"Vasals Latgolā!" – people of the Land of Blue Lakes might greet you if you visit the stand of Latgale – more colourful, more attractive and twice as big as a year before!

During “Balttour 2012”, nineteen local municipalities of Latgale in conjoint with Utena in Lithuania, Vitebsk in Belarus and Pskov Region in Russia will present quite a number of tourism opportunities, cultural heritage, beautiful nature and famous people of Latgale.

"The diversity and hospitality of Latgalian people will certainly cheer up every visitor! For the third year, we are exhibiting together with our Belarusian colleagues. Visitors are welcome to find more information on tourism opportunities in Latgale," the project manager of Latgale Region Development Agency Jānis Veips tells.

Kļockas, guļbišņīki, buļbu bļīni, asuškas, slokatnis*... these are just a few dishes of the Latgalian culinary heritage every one visiting the 230m2 stand of Latgale will have an opportunity to taste. Moreover, visitors are also welcome to see and buy the brilliant pieces of Latgalian arts and crafts.

Have you ever heard about lively up-beat Latgalian wedding traditions and folkgroup performances? If not, you will certainly enjoy them!

*Dumplings, stuffed potato rolls, potato pancakes, pan-fried curd buns in a sweet cream sauce, meat stuffed barley or buckwheat pie.

Discover unconventional holidaying opportunities in Tallinn!

Many of us know how beautiful the heart of Estonia is in any season: enchanting Old Town of Tallinn, romantic Kadriorg Park, breathtaking sea cost in Pirita. But few people know that Tallinn is not only about these famous places! Wish to discover them? Visit the stand of Hotel Dzingel at “Balttour 2012” and discover a lot of amazing holiday deals in Tallinn.

Discover the oldest continent!

With vast and surprising deserts, teasing and enticing equator, Africa is an enigma! – that’s how the seasoned travellers speak about Africa. Its exotic nature and landmarks attract a growing number of tourists. The visitors of “Balttour 2012” will have an opportunity to meet the representatives of this fascinating continent and bet inspiration to new discoveries! The land of extreme contrasts Ethiopia, the producer of cocoa Ghana, the country of oilrigs and gold mines Nigeria are among those states planning to take part in “Balttour 2012”.

20 Candles on a Cake!

On 9 December, the Association of Latvian Travel Agents (ALTA) is going to blow off candles on its 20th birthday cake. In honour of the anniversary, ALTA will hold the international conference "TRAVELLER 2020" to discuss Latvia’s potential tourism growth and the experience of other countries.

"With technology development and a political opposition movement taking force across the globe the tourism demand and the role of travel agencies is changing. We have decided to celebrate ALTA’s 20th anniversary with a scientifically futuristic conference and to discuss the future of this sector in different regions across the world,” the president of ALTA Kitija Gitendorfa told.

At the conference the general secretary of ECTAA Michel Blust will tell about the past and future trends of the tourism industry, the anthropologist Damian Paul O’Doherty from Manchester University Business School will present the airport as a destination; the ecotourism expert Naut Kusters will offer a discussion about the role or tour operators in sustainable tourism development, Nick Skellon from Service Solutions Plus will talk about satisfying customers and is it a bad idea?

Karlsson would wish ALTA twenty cakes and just one candle, "Balttour" wishes every success in discovering new lands and isles for travellers’ satisfaction!

A unique opportunity for the "Balttour 2012" participants!

Each participant of "Balttour 2012" may take advantage of free publicity and promotion services – to publish information about new products, activities and special offers in the Balttour 2012 home page, press releases and a monthly newsletter. Read news!

However, if you are not there, hurry up and apply for participation in “Balttour 2012” already now!

"Balttour 2012" offers to participants to promote and to sell their services and products, to expand the list of professional contacts, to promote their companies and to boost sales!

Crimea – Balttour 2012 partner resort!

Crimea is one of the most beautiful places of our planet thus named as "The World in a Miniature" or "The Museum Under the Open Sky" will debuts as a partner resort of the International Travel Trade Fair “Balttour 2012”.

‘We see Latvia as our priority cooperation partner in the tourism industry. One of the most significant tourism events in the Baltics is the “Balttour” travel fair where we are going to present the Crimean cities, resorts and tour operators,’ the First Deputy Minister of Resorts and Tourism of the Crimea Autonomous Republic Alexander Liyev explained.

Mr Liyev points that the tourism development is an established top priority task for this region and the Crimeans are ready not only to introduce the opportunities of tourism in Crimea to the Latvian audience, but also to promote Riga as an interesting tourist destination through the Ukrainian media and tour operators.

The Crimeans believe that Baltic tourists might be attracted to Crimea by its spa resorts and medical services, as Crimea has been famous for its mild climate, healing waters and mud since times immemorial. ‘Crimea is an excellent place to receive a treatment of different gynaecological diseases, particularly infertility, handicapped in wheelchairs and patients suffering from respiratory diseases and neurological disorders. There are 250 resorts and 74 spa centres in Crimea these days, and information on them and services they provide we are going to present at “Balttour 2012”,’ Alexander Liyev told.

Riga City Council and the Ministry of resorts and Tourism of the Crimea Autonomous Republic signed the protocol of cooperation identifying the main priorities in the direction of tourism, culture and economics on September 13.

APC Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251 takes Kipsala!

Rifle shots and grenade blasts – let it be the history! Ogre and Ikskile County Tourism Development Agency invites you to see and examine an authentic German APC Sd.kfz 251, a real witness of the World War II, and to enjoy the atmosphere of resort in the 1920/30s at the travel trade fair ''Balttour 2012''.

The armoured personnel carrier Sd.kfz 251 was built in Germany during the World War II and it has 23 official variants. Sd.kfz 251 is 2m wide, 5.8m long and 1.7m high. ‘It is still in working condition! Visitors will be given an opportunity to put themselves in a panzergrenadier’s shoes, to inspect the APC from inside and outside and to be taken on a photo,’ Solvita Šmite from Ogre and Ikskile Tourism Development Agency told.

Last but not least! Young ladies wearing fancy dresses of the 1920/30s and a gentleman in a retro swimsuit will entice every visitor to try on vintage cotton men’s swimwear in a changing cabin and have pictures taken!

Apart of the APC Sd.kfz 251, Ikskile County Cultural Heritage Centre “Tinuzi Manor” will display a collection of firearms, but the History and Art Museum of Ogre will give the visitors an opportunity of sending historical postcards.

Balttour’s Agent in Italy!

The Balttour authorised agent in Italy – Italian Fair Service – has started fair sales activities. Italian Fair Service has proved as a successful and trustable collaborate for the International Food Fair “Riga Food” that let us look forward to a major representation of Italian companies at “Balttour 2012”.

Italian tour companies willing to participate in ''Balttour 2012'' are welcome to contact Mr Nicolo Costanzo, a project manager of Italian Fair service, tel: +390 163832145, e-mail: info@itaianfairservice.com.

''Italian Fair Service''

Tel: +390 163832145

Fax: +390 163294755

E-mail: info@itaianfairservice.com

www.italianfairservice.com

New and unparalleled!

The International Travel Trade Fair “Balttour 2012” will first present a country of West Africa that is famous for cultivating cocoa, old castles attracting lots of tourists and slave dungeons – Ghana!

Balttour gains recognition in Russia!

Russian tourism professionals at the “Otdykh / Leisure 2011” travel exhibition highly evaluated “Balttour” efforts to improve relations between both countries in the field of tourism. Presenting the Certificate of Appreciation to Latvia’s representation at the travel fair, Alexander Radkov, the head of Federal Agency of Tourism, pointed out that Latvia is still one of the most popular tourist destinations among Russian citizens.

‘Since “Balttour” has become a member of Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI), we receive more invitations to be part of events promoting tourism exchange between the two countries. I do believe that fair’s ambitious development plans, growing network of cooperation partners and immeasurable work contributed will bring annually increasing return to the Baltic tourism industry, will serve as a significant business platform for the tourism offices and tour companies of Eastern Europe,’ a “Balttour 2012” project manager Ilona Ansone told.

Latvia representation at “Otdykh / Leisure 2012” included such companies and organisations as 1Travel, Kandagar, Avalon Hotel, the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Latvia, RIX Company, Meeting Tour, BTG, Laimtūre, Riga Travel Agency, Jurmala City and Hotel Jurmala SPA.

‘Russia’s market is a top priority for Jurmala, therefore we do our best to develop different recreation programmes and tourism infrastructure, to carry out different marketing activities. We position Jurmala as an excellent destination to spend autumn or winter vacation. We present our special health tourism services, opportunities to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve here. Moreover, we timely inform Russian audience about the 2012 children camp programme in Jurmala,’ Gunta Uspele from Jurmala City Council told.

The 17th International Travel Exhibition “Otdykh / Leisure 2011” took place from 21–24 September in Moscow.(www.tourismexpo.ru).

“Travel Latvia!” contracting started

Divided in sectors located around the big stage, the “Travel Latvia!” hall took fancy of participants, performers, visitors and guests from abroad. The representatives of Latvia’s regions drew lots to find out their allocation in the “Travel Latvia!” hall and the contracting began…

The positive ambiance reigning of the “Travel Latvia!” hall encourages interest and communication therefore we would suggest you to work out a good package of travel opportunities, routes, sightseeing objects, products to offer. We know that visitors are highly enthusiastic over different activities held during the fair and they do willingly book up tours or select recreation opportunities for the coming summer holidays or event the nearest future.

Moreover, with the St Valentine following the fair, you will have a wonderful opportunity to sell out romantic week-end and entertainment packages. To join the fair.

“Discover the World!” – halfway booked up!

Estonia, Lithuania, Turkey, Finland, Russia, Egypt, Italy, Spain, the UAE – these are just some of those countries which have already confirmed their participation in ''Balttour 2012''. The organisers have signed participation agreements with Latvia’s biggest tour operators, tourism offices of countries popular among Latvian travellers, hotels, transport agencies and many others.

All tourism related companies are welcome to apply for participation in the fair at their earliest possible since the number of available spaces is rapidly decreasing! Be part of this event in the best possible place!

NB!

The Rules of Participation provides for a special discount on exhibit space rental if the payment is made before 1 September!

Bath Lane – longer and more attractive!

The steam evaporating and the refreshing aroma of birch besoms lingering over Bath Lane mesmerized almost everybody during last “Balttour”. Visitors, guests and participants enthusiastically grabbed an opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of bathing and ancient beauty rites.

‘Bath Lane at ''Balttour 2012'' will be twice as long and attractive with twice as much welcoming bath attendants! We have invited the bath attendants of Lithuanian Bathhouse Association, professionals from Moscow and Kaliningrad,’ a president of the association "Latvijas pirts'' Ms Sandra Stumbre tells. Dr N. Chirva, a well-known osteopath from Dr Shevchenko Clinical Hospital in St Petersburg, has already accepted our invitation.

You run a bathhouse of a spa and have a range of services for tourists? Come and join us on Bath Lane! Add some steam!

“Balttour” in Russia’s biggest tourism portals!

''Balttour'' is following its path and to accomplish the set goal – to become a major tourism industry event in Northern Europe the organisers are actively working with Russia’s tourism professionals. “Balttour” recently became a member of the Russian Tourism Union, an organisation that brings together Russia’s major tourism industry players – tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, spas, sanatoriums, transport and insurance companies, the mass media (www.rustourunion.ru). This step born fruits – the first cooperation agreements have been signed. See the banners and read information about “Balttour” published on:

• Journal of Russia’s Tourism Union: www.ratanews.ru;
• popular tourism portal: www.100dorog.ru;
• homepage of the ''Отдых/Leisure'' fair: www.tourismexpo.ru.

We expect a number of Russia’s tourism companies and state authorities to take part or visit “Balttour” to significantly increase the reciprocal flow of tourists between both countries.

“Balttour” goes to Russia!

“Balttour” is going to take part in the 17th International Travel Fair “Отдых/Leisure 2011” to be held in Moscow, 21-24 September (www.tourismexpo.ru). Travel opportunities in Latvia will be presented in the national collective stand by such companies as ''Rilad'', ''Kandagar'', ''Jurmala SPA Hotel'', ''Avalon Hotel'', ''RIX Company'', ''Meeting Tour'', ''BTG'' and the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Latvia.

''Отдых/Leisure'' is one of the major travel fairs in Russia, a member of UFI (Union des Foires Internationales) and the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Trade Fairs.

The Balttour agent in Lithuania starts exhibition sales!

AUTARE, an official and authorised agent for “Balttour 2012” in Lithuania, has commenced exhibition sales. Lithuanian tourism offers will take up a special sector in the hall “Discover the World!” as well as will be represented on Bath Lane at “Balttour 2012”.

On the matters of participation in “Balttour 2012”, Lithuanian tourism companies are welcome to contact the representative of AUTARE Natalija Zinkevičiūtė

(Tel: +370 5 2611364, e-mail: natalija@autare.lt).

Subaciaus St 8–14

Vilnius, LT-01302

Lithuania

Fax: (+370) 5 261 13 64, 231 21 02

www.autare.lt

www.autaretravel.lv