About the project
In the Baltic and Scandinavian countries, tourism is one of the fastest growing industries. But there are still differences in the development level of the tourism industry in each country. Low activity of people, incomplete infrastructure and lack of information are obstacles for the development of cycle tourism, and factors that hinder the development of competitive and qualitative cycle tourism service. More and more foreign tourists regard the Baltic and Scandinavian countries as a single tourism destination, creating the necessity for improved inner cooperation within the region.
In order to develop cycling culture in Central Baltic Sea territories, Zemgale Planning Region in cooperation with partners in Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Sweden has started project's „CentralBalticCycling" implementation.
Project's main idea is to encourage tourists to visit the Baltic Sea littoral countries, inviting them to see what can offer more distant regions, not only capitals of states. There will be analysed current situation and identified potential of cycling culture in order to develop new tourism products in the course of project's implementation, so this is a great opportunity for the development of tourism business in project participant's regions.
Objectives
The aim of the project is to promote competitiveness of the Central Baltic region in the European tourism market by expanding offer of tourism products in the project areas.
Activities
The project starts out by assessing the development potential of cycling tourism. Furthermore, the project establishes and strengthens a cooperation network among tourism professionals related to the bicycle tourism in the Central Baltic region. During the project the bicycle tourism infrastructure is improved and the region is being promoted as a joint tourism destination. To ensure the creation of new tourism products, workshops for tourism sector entrepreneurs are being organised with tourism associations and tourist information centres.
Project „CentralBalticCycling", or in full title „Development and Improvement of Cycling Route Network in Central Baltic Area" is implemented with financial support of European Union European Regional Development fund (ERDF) in Central Baltic Programme INTERREG IV A 2007-2013. Total budget is 1 497 899 EUR where 1 161st 001 EUR is co-financed by ERDF.
Project partners
Project's Central Baltic Cycling partnership covers seven partners from four countries in Central Baltic area
Lead partner is Zemgale Planning Region from Latvia
NGO West Estonia Tourism (Estonia)
Kurzeme Tourism Association (Latvia)
Vidzeme Tourism Association (Latvia)
Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre (Latvia)
Örebro Regional Development Council (Sweden)
Zemgale Planning Region (Lead Partner, Latvia)
Lead partner has significant experience in development and implementation of local and international projects, covering spheres of regional development, environmental protection, education, social services, entrepreneurship, tourism and culture.
Contacts: Anna Builo - Hoļme, [email protected]
NGO West Estonia Tourism (Estonia)
West-Estonia Tourism NGO was founded on the 15th of February 2008. The founders were Pärnumaa Tourism Foundation, Läänemaa Tourism NGO, NGO Hiiumaa Tourism Association and Association of Local Authorities of Saare County.
The goal of the organisation is to stand for the interest of tourism in West- Estonia. Mainly we co-ordinate and develop collaboration in the tourism field in West-Estonia region.
West-Estonia is a marvelous place where you will find so much beautiful to see and do. It has been a popular resort spot in Europe for centuries thanks to its geographical situation, over times guests from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Russia and England have visited us again and again...
Contacts: Tõiv Jõul, [email protected]
Kurzeme Tourism Association (Latvia)
Kurzeme Tourism Association (KTA) is a non-governmental international not-for-profit organization, established in year 2001 that represents the interests of about 28 local municipalities and 105 entrepreneurs of Kurzeme (West part of Latvia). The main aim of Kurzeme Tourism Association is to bring together people, governmental institutions and businesses working in tourism sector in order to collectively advertise and promote Kurzeme region, as well as to allocate financial resources from the state for tourism development.
Contacts: Jana Bergmane, [email protected]
Vidzeme Tourism Association (Latvia)
Vidzeme Tourism Association (VTA) is a non-governmental international not-for-profit organization, established in year 1997 that represents the interests of about 26 local municipalities and 80 entrepreneurs of Vidzeme (North part of Latvia). The main aim of Vidzeme Tourism Association is to bring together people, governmental institutions and businesses working in tourism sector in order to collectively advertise and promote Vidzeme region, as well as to allocate financial resources from the state for tourism development.
Contacts: Raitis Sijāts, [email protected]
The Archipelago town Pargas consists of more than 10 000 islands and islets outspread over 5500 square kilometers, of which 80 per cent is water. Pargas is located in South West Finland, between Helsinki and Stockholm, with an easy and fast access to Turku. It is a dynamic town with a population of 15 500. The municipalities of Nagu, Korpo, Houtskär and Iniö together with Pargas form this unique town in the beautiful Archipelago Sea.
Contacts: Martti Nilsson, [email protected]
Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre (Latvia)
Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre is a municipal institution whose goal is to promote tourism and cultural education in the Jelgava city and surrounding areas.
Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre has established a tourist information centre that is located in the Holy Trinity church tower. Tourism information centre provides all the necessary information about the tourism opportunities in Jelgava and its region, offers informative materials about the city, excursions, guide services and many more.
Contacts: Liene Rulle, [email protected]
Örebro Regional Development Council (Sweden)
The overall task of the Regional Development Council (RDC) is to gather the county's resources in regional politics into an effective, democratically controlled organisation. The purpose and task of the organisation is to improve conditions for sustainable growth and to contribute to the best possible quality of life throughout the whole of Örebro County. The RDC works to develop strategies and actions in a broad variety of public fields e.g. social welfare, infrastructure, environment, enterprise and innovation, education and competence, nature and outdoor life and tourism. The RCD is a development organisation formed by the 12 communities in the county.
Contacts: Katarina Rönnbacka Nybäck, [email protected]
Prepared by: Ms. Anna Kupce, information provided by Zemgale Planning Region (CBC Project Lead Partner)
The publication/website reflects the author's views and the Managing Authority can not be held liable for the information published by the project partners.
