Good for Business, Latvia, LIVE RIGA, Tourism, Transport

In 2009, a total of 28,345 people visited the museum, the number of visitors increased to 49,159 in 2010 and to 55,009 last year, writes LETA.

According to Aksenoks, the museum now offers more exhibitions of vintage automobiles. "Several museum rooms were previously meant for other functions that were not associated with the museum's work, such as athletics clubs, repair shops and suchlike. All these rooms were gradually reconstructed to display the museum's exhibits. A new hall was opened on the first floor already in 2010, increasing the museum's area by one-third. Thanks to the expansion, we could exhibit many interesting trucks and specialized automobiles," said Aksenoks.

The museum now offers thematic exhibitions, for instance, recently the museum hosted an exhibition of American automobiles, an exhibition dedicated to the history of off-road vehicles, an exhibition of children's toys, and others.

Quite often, the exhibition of a restored automobile attracts many visitors, for instance, a "woodie Moskvitch", notes Aksenoks.

The museum personnel's responsibilities have also been revised: previously the personnel had to see that the visitors do not touch the exhibits, while now they have to offer visitors information about the exhibits.

This year, the museum has also launched direct marketing campaigns, signing around 20 cooperation agreements with various tourism organizations.

"When I began to work at the Motor Museum, there was not a single information booklet about it, and we had such booklets printed. We continue active work in various social networks, and we promptly inform about any news in the museum at the museum's website. Together with the Latvian Antique Car Club, we organize get-togethers of antique cars, attended by thousands of people," says Aksenoks, adding that the entrance to the museum has been improved and that visitors also like to buy various souvenirs at the museum.

Aksenoks, who was appointed head of the Riga Motor Museum in 2009, worked as the justice minister in 2002 to 2004 and as the Riga mayor from 2005 to 2007.

Originally a member of New Era, Aksenoks quit the party in 2008. At the moment, Aksenoks is a member of All For Latvia!-For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK.