Latvia, Markets and Companies, Tourism, USA

The eight arrived in Latvia on July 15 following a five-day visit in Estonia. The United States is a far-off market where the Baltic countries work together – this time the Tourism Development Agency is cooperating with the Estonian Tourism Council. The U.S. journalists' visit is also supported by the European Regional Development Fund, said Briede.

"In the past, Latvia was visited by individual representatives from the United States. For instance, a film crew of three visited Latvia last year, and a blogger before that. It's been some years since a U.S. media delegation of eight persons has visited here. This will be the only visit to Latvia by the U.S. press this year," said Briede.

The delegation members represent printed and online media – Smarter Travel, Philadelphia Sun, Downtown Post NYC, Traveling. Mom. Com and others, Briede said.

"When preparing the program of the visit, we kept in mind that, for almost all of the visitors, this would be the first introduction to Latvia and the Baltics," said the Tourism Development Agency's marketing officer Lelde Benke.

The agency has prepared the visit's five-day program in cooperation with Cesis Culture and Tourism Center, Sigulda Development Agency, and Zemgale Tourism Association, said Briede.

The journalists will visit the contemporary arts festival in Cesis, get a glimpse of the folklore festival "Baltica 2015", tour the Soviet underground bunker in Ligatne, visit Sigulda, and see Bauska, Rundale Palace, and other tourist attractions in Vidzeme and Zemgale.

In Riga, the Americans will be shown the city's classic attractions – Old Town, Art Nouveau architecture, Central Market, Kalnciema Street Quarter, Occupation Museum, others.