International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analyticsFriday, 12.03.2010, 05:28
Tourism in the European Union: good prospects for 2010
11.03.2010In the new Treaty of Lisbon (2009), for the first time in Union’s history, the tourism sector was mentioned as a sphere, where the Union should complement the member states’ actions. This is a clear sign of importance attached to the sector by the EU institutions and the member states. Tourism sector is generally regarded as one of the most important “industries” in the Baltic States.
Keyword tags: EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Tourism
Number of foreign tourists in accommodation establishments of Estonia increased by 18% in January
11.03.2010According to Statistics Estonia, in January 2010, 73,000 foreign tourists stayed in accommodation establishments, which was 18% more than year earlier in the same period.
Bus company MootorReisi earned 3.2 mln kroons in profits in 2009
10.03.2010Hugo Osula’s company AS MootorReisi Group that had earned a loss in 2008 managed to get a profit of 3.2 million kroons in 2009, writes LETA/Postimees Online.
International lenders do not support lowering VAT for tourism in Latvia
10.03.2010During a meeting between international lenders and opposition parties at Saeima yesterday, the international lenders pointed out that reducing the value added tax (VAT) in separate industries will lead to similar demands from representatives of other spheres, LETA was informed by Saeima Deputy Oskars Kastens (Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way).
Infortar won credit line extension
10.03.2010A large shareholder of listed ferry operator Tallink Group – Infortar which is controlled by three Estonian businessmen Enn Pant, Ain Hanschmidt and Kalev Jarvelill has won more time from banks to repay loans, LETA/BBN reports, referring to Aripaev.
Number of airBaltic passengers grew by 27% in February
Latvian airline airBaltic carried overall 186,512 passengers in February 2010 (from Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn), representing 27% more than in the same month in 2009, when airBaltic transported 147,425 passengers. In February of this year, the number of passengers at the base of airBaltic in Riga has increased by 33% compared to the same period last year, reported BC Janis Vanags, vice president of corporate communications in airBaltic.
Bill on lowering tourism VAT in Latvia is sent to Saeima
The People's Party succeeded today, with the help of the opposition, in gaining theoretical support from the Saeima's Budget and Finance (Taxation) Committee for forwarding their amendment to the law "On Value Added Tax" (VAT) for review in the full Saeima in Latvia. The amendment foresees the introduction of a reduced VAT rate for the tourism sector.
Baltic ferries slammed for 'Titanic syndrome'
The Swedish Maritime Administration – Sjöfartsverket – has sharply criticized ferry companies in the Baltic Sea for ignoring warnings and failing to change routes to avoid thick ice sheets, LETA/The Local reports.
Thick Baltic ice causes ferry havoc
Cancellations and delays to ferry services are forecast to persist into Thursday as the Baltic Sea experiences its iciest conditions in 14 years, LETA/The Local reports. Several vessels are stuck in the ice waiting for ice-breakers to set them free.
airBaltic resumes flights from Vilnius to London
Latvian airline airBaltic resumes direct flights from Vilnius to London on March 11. The company will operate two flights a week until March 29 and further on airBaltic will offer a total of four flights to London a week.
airBaltic to offer flights to Bucharest in cooperation with TAROM
Latvia’s national airline airBaltic will be offering flights between Riga and the Romanian capital of Bucharest from March 29, 2010. The flights will be operated by the Romanian national airline, TAROM, under a code-sharing agreement with airBaltic, informed BC Janis Vanags, vice president corporate communications of airBaltic.
Pädaste Manor included in top 10 greatest Eastern European spas
Conde Nast Traveller Spa Guide 2010 listed Estonia's Pädaste Manor among ten greatest Eastern European spas, LETA/Visitestonia reports.
11 bathing areas and two yacht clubs in Latvia apply for the "Blue Flag" tourism eco-certificate
At present, the tourism eco-certificate "Blue Flag" has been applied for by 11 bathing areas and two yacht clubs in Latvia, LETA was informed by Janis Ulme, eco-certification director for the Foundation for Environmental Education. In 2010 a bathing area in Jekabpils has applied for a "Blue Flag" certificate for the first time.
In 2009 accommodation establishments in Lithuania had by 21.8% less guests than in 2008
According to provisional data of Statistics Lithuania, in 2009, accommodation establishments had by 21.8% less guests than in 2008. The number of guests from the EU countries decreased by 20.2, non-EU countries – 9.7, Lithuanian residents – 26.3%.
Andrus Ansip met with Turkey’s EU affairs minister and chief negotiator Egemen Bagis
Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said at Thursday’s meeting in Tallinn with Turkey’s EU affairs minister and chief negotiator Egemen Bagis that Estonia supports Turkey’s closer ties with the EU, LETA/Postimees Online reports.
Closer cooperation model for the Baltics and the EU 
