More and more travelers are showing interest in the tourist route “Baltic Way”

In almost every of the more than 110 tourist attractions included in the route, the number of visitors who want to get to know the ancient Baltic lands and their inhabitants has increased, Kālis claimed.

“This is evidenced by the rapid depletion of the route guide and map stock, the massive influx of Latvian and Lithuanian travelers at the annual Zemgale festival in Tērvete, the vast Bauska Castle, where a fortified Baltic settlement was located in ancient times, the sound of the Vivat Curlandia festival, events in the craft center “Rūme” in Zasa parish and other events saturated with various activities on the route of both Sēļi and Zemgaļi circles, “commented Kālis.

In order to further increase the number of tourist visits in the border regions and to give more dynamism to the development of cultural tourism in both neighboring countries, Zemgale Planning Region together with partners from Kurzeme Planning Region, Rundāle and Kuldīga Municipalities, Siauliai City and Klaipeda District to implement the project “Promotion of the visibility of the international cultural tourism route” Baltic Way “supported by the Latvian-Lithuanian cross-border co-operation program”. The aim of the new project is to increase the population’s awareness of the preservation of the tangible and intangible cultural and natural heritage of the Baltic nations, to increase the visibility of the “Baltic Way” route and to invest additional resources in the development of an innovative and sustainable tourism information system.

In order to achieve the goal, with the support of the project there will be joint experience exchange trips of the partners both to the objects included in the route and along the Viking route in Sweden, digitization of the route “Baltic Way”, photographers’ expeditions, photo exhibitions, photo storage. In its turn, the training of tourist guides is intended to increase knowledge in the issues of diversification and quality improvement of services, but in master classes to focus on the modernization of the understanding of Baltic traditions and interpretation of history.

Several practical actions will focus on the arrangement of three tourism infrastructure objects, including the modernization of the Klaipeda District Information Center and the installation of a multifunctional space in the Baltic Center in Siauliai, but in Zemgale, Mežotne Castle Mound, reconstruct the pedestrian path and make other infrastructure improvements. In order to highlight the identity of the place and increase local patriotism in the local population, in Sēlija, Sala region, in the picturesque Zvejnieklīcis, Sēlpils parish, which is a popular place for cultural events and active recreation, it is planned to create an original environmental object – a snail shell. lifestyle and cultural traditions.

With the support of the project, it is planned to prepare new tourism guides, participate in several international tourism exhibitions – fairs, organize Baltic Unity Day celebrations in Kuldiga and Joniškis, promote the route in various media using social media, social networks and partner websites.

The implementation of the project will last for two years, its total funding is 869,689 euros, including the European Regional Development Fund funding – 739,235.65 euros.

It has already been reported that in the process of creating the new route research of ancient historical sources, selection and inspection of notable sights, photo fixation, production of video film, editing and translation of descriptions, organization of multiple trainings of tourist guides and other activities.

The total funding of the project “International Cultural Route” Baltic Way “” is 763 402 euros, including the European Regional Development Fund funding 648 892 euros.

The project “International Cultural Route” Baltic Way “” is implemented to create one international and several cultural tourism routes of regional significance, highlighting and promoting the Baltic tangible and intangible cultural and natural heritage.