International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analyticsMonday, 06.09.2010, 11:26
airBaltic: behind substantial increase in number of Russian tourists in Latvia and Lithuania
03.09.2010During the first half of 2010, Latvia and Lithuania were among the top five fastest growing destinations for Russian tourists, according to that country’s Federal Statistical Service. In first place was Thailand, with an increase in tourist numbers by 118.5% in comparison to the same period in 2009, followed by Lithuania (92.3%), Egypt (65.4%), Latvia (59.8%), and Montenegro (58%). Russian travel agencies, which provide services related to the Baltic States have confirmed that the increase in tourist numbers can be attributed specifically to airBaltic operations.
Keyword tags: Airport, Baltic States – CIS, Latvia, LIVE RIGA, Tourism, Transport
The Rīga Conference 2010 to take place on September 10 – 11
03.09.2010On September 10 – 11, Rīga, the capital of Latvia, will host one of the leading security forums in Northern Europe – the Rīga Conference. The international conference aims to kick-off high level discussions on key foreign and security policy issues before entering the intensive policy making season in the fall of 2010. The conference has continues to attract some of the world’s most respected thinkers, academics, commentators, journalists, and politicians, providing a platform for a broad intellectual exchange on the current Transatlantic agenda, informed BC the Latvian Institute.
Estonians won an international architectural contest on Marriott Hotel in Riga
02.09.2010Indrek Allmann and Joel Kopli, architects of the firm Pluss, won an international architectural contest in Riga, writes LETA/National Broadcasting.
airBaltic recognised as Latvia’s leading exporter
01.09.2010Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Economics Minister Artis Kampars last week hailed the airBaltic airline for its achievements in the field of exports, informed BC Janis Vanags, vice president of corporate communications at airBaltic.
Travelio.net includes Latvia on its ''Top 10'' list of most environmentally pure countries
30.08.2010The European tourism portal ''Travelio.net'' has included Latvia on its ''Top 10'' list of most environmentally pure countries in the world. The ranking is according to ''The Economist’s'' Environmental Performance Index which is based on a range of factors including environmental health, biodiversity, air pollution, water use, agricultural methods and tackling climate change.
Number of visitors in Latvian hotels increased by 8.3% in Q2
In comparison with the 2nd quarter of 2009, number of visitors in hotels and other accommodation establishments¹ in the 2nd quarter of 2010 increased by 8.3% and comprised 320.0 thsd people, according to the data of Central Statistical Bureau (CSB). Of all visitors 32% were Latvian residents and 68% – foreign visitors. Number of foreign visitors grew by 4.8%. The most notable growth was observed among visitors from Russia – 46%.
Riga to hold large-scale beer festival in early September
Riga will hold the "Riga 2010" beer festival in early September 2010 at the Kipsala Exhibition Hall, the business portal Nozare.lv was informed by the event's organizers.
Linstow: Valnu Street needs only slight improvements to become Riga's main shopping street
The idea by the real estate and retail center development and management company Linstow Center Management (Linstow) for the development of Valnu Street foresees the improvement of already existing features in order to realize its potential as Riga's main shopping street, with parking spaces offered by the existing car park at Jacob's Barracks, the business portal Nozare.lv was informed by Linstow representative Viesturs Deksnis.
"Marriott Hotel Riga" to be built after Estonian architects' project
A Marriott Hotel will be built in the Latvian capital based on Estonian architectural company's Arhitektuuriburoo Pluss Ou draft, as the project's co-partner Arhiidea reported to the Latvian business information portal Nozare.lv.
29% economically active residents plan to attend Riga Festival events
Almost one third, or 29% of Latvia's economically active citizens plan to attend Riga City Festival events due August 20-22, according to a survey carried out in August by the market, social and media research company TNS Latvia in cooperation with the TV company LNT and the TV show "900 Seconds".
Number of airBaltic passengers grew by 22% in January-July
Latvian airline airBaltic carried overall 367,343 passengers in July 2010 (from Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn), representing 24% increase comparing with the same month in 2009, when airBaltic transported 296,754 passengers. During the first seven months of the 2010, airBaltic transported a total of 1,839,432 passengers, or 22% more than during the same period in 2009, when the total number of passengers was 1,501,985, informed BC Janis Vanags, vice president of corporate communications at airBaltic.
AVALON HOTEL in Riga – travellers choice of the year
Design hotel in the heart of Riga – AVALON HOTEL 4**** welcomes guests to a unique summer roof terrace with panoramic view of Old Town.
20 cruise ships have docked at Riga Port in July
In July 2010, 20 cruise shops with a total of 21,627 passengers docked at Riga Port, which is a 19% increase when compared to July of last year, according to data from Riga Port.
Canadian newspaper Metro writes about entertainment opportunities in Riga
Canadian free national daily newspaper "Metro" on July 29 offered an article about entertainment opportunities in Riga, calling the capital of Latvia a draw for sophisticated young travelers.
Riga Tourism Development Bureau representative office could be opened in Tashkent
A representation of the Riga Tourism Development Bureau could be opened in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent, which would make it possible for new partners to join the LIVE RĪGA tourism program, Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony Center) agreed at a meeting with Uzbekistan tourism professionals in Tashkent on July 30, the Riga City Council told LETA.
Updating the Nordic-Baltic cooperation 
