At the Baltic’s largest travel trade fair, “Balttour 2026”, the Vidzeme Tourism Association will showcase four new tourism products this year, leading visitors on an exciting adventure through the flavors of the Vidzeme coast, birdwatching, the “Bānītis” Heritage Railway land, and the Green Railways. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet regional representatives and entrepreneurs of these products, as well as discover tailored offers for various target audiences firsthand.
Representatives of the “Bānītis” land will offer insights into the only regularly operating narrow-gauge train in the Baltics, along with diverse tourism experiences that combine historic depot stories, the charm of manors, and seasonal local tastings. The quiet and picturesque landscape of Eastern Vidzeme is particularly suitable for families, couples, and nature lovers, offering a wide range of activities – from interactive games for children to nostalgic photo moments and cycling trips.
Regional representatives will help plan a leisurely getaway and let you experience the hospitality of the “Bānītis” land in all its glory. For the more active guests, there will be a unique opportunity to feel the energy of the Gulbene and Alūksne regions by trying out a real handcar (drezīna). This is an authentic experience that reveals the character of the place and inspires future travels.
Meanwhile, the active and enterprising entrepreneurs of the Green Railways will introduce their farms and offers for solo travelers, families with children, and small or large groups of friends and tourists on the following route sections:
Saulkrasti–Skulte–Lāde–Limbaži–Pociems–Puikule–Aloja–Mazsalaca and
Ainaži–Pāle–Puikule–Dikļi–Zilaiskalns–Kocēni–Valmiera.
During the exhibition, visitors to the Vidzeme Tourism Association stand will be able to enjoy the diverse flavors of Vidzeme, including birdwatching, which symbolically “tastes” like mindfulness, peace, and true presence in nature.
Several events related to the Vidzeme Tourism Association are planned during the fair:
February 6th
- From 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, the opening of the Vidzeme Tourism Association stand will take place in the exhibition hall.
- From 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, a meeting of the Vidzeme Tourism Association will be held at the BT1 premises, where project participants will review completed work and future plans.
February 7th
- A networking event for Tourism Cooperation Networks, organized by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), will take place in the BT1 conference hall. Participants will be introduced to the results of research conducted within the project framework.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM “Research on the market potential and sustainability factors of the tourism products’ target audiences (target group and customer geography) of the Zemgale and Vidzeme Cooperation Networks”.
Ēriks Lingeberziņš, Dr.oec., Turība University, and Agita Doniņa, PhD., Turība University
See you at “Balttour 2026”!
Participation in the BALTTOUR 2026 exhibition is implemented with co-financing from European Union funds within the framework of project No. 1.2.3.6/2/24/A/004 “Vidzeme Tourism Association”.
Gita Memmēna
Project Coordinator
Vidzeme Tourism Association
