EE-LV00143 “Facilitating access to watertourism activities” (Riverways II)
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Facilitate water tourism in Latvia and Estonia by expanding cross-border tourism product www.riverways.eu and focusing on innovative solutions to access and use recreational waters, routes and products by all target groups (incl. disabled, seniors, families with children etc.), at the same time also supporting sustainable infrastructure, which controls and reduces anthropogenic impact of recreational activities.
TARGET GROUP
- Local and foreign travellers
- Interest groups, incl. NGOs representing people with disabilities
- Tourism service providers – entrepreneurs, local municipalities etc.
PROJECT DURATION
1 September 2024 – 31 August 2027
PROJECT FINANCING
1 500 000,00 EUR (i.a. ERDF funding 1 200 000,00 EUR)
PROJECT PARTNERS
- The Project is implemented by the Lead Partner – Kurzeme Planning Region in cooperation with 20 partners from Latvia and Estonia:
- Riga Planning Region, www.rpr.gov.lv
- Vidzeme Planning Region, www.vidzeme.lv
- University of Tartu Pärnu College, www.ut.ee
- Tartu County Tourism Foundation – South Estonia Tourism Cluster, www.visitsouthestonia.com
- Dienvidkurzeme Municipality, www.dkn.lv
- Liepāja City Municipality Central Administration, www.liepaja.lv
- Kuldīga Municipality, www.kuldigasnovads.lv
- Jūrmala State City Municipality, www.jurmala.lv
- Ķekava Municipality, www.kekava.lv
- Ādaži County Municipality, www.adazunovads.lv
- Valmiera Municipality, www.valmierasnovads.lv
- Madona Municipality, www.madona.lv
- Valka Municipality, www.valka.lv
- Limbaži Municipality, www.limbazunovads.lv
- Green Riverland Partnership NGO, www.joemaa.ee
- Otepää Rural Municipality Government, www.otepaa.ee
- Luunja Municipality, www.luunja.ee
- Antsla Municipality, www.antsla.ee
- Setomaa Municipality Government, setomaa.kovtp.ee
- Võru Rural Municipality, www.voru.ee
PROJECT SUMMARY
Nowadays, the stereotype of water tourism being mainly used by fit and active part of population, is breaking down – user group has widened. Families with children, seniors are interested in watertourism options. This brings up the need to develop more accessible watertourism environment – develop all-target groups related multifunctional infrastructure with complex approach to services providing for full customer journey. 16 infrastructure objects will be developed in the project in Latvia and Estonia as a pilot activity to improve access and create joint social innovation solutions for watertourism activities.
The project will build on available knowledge from the two projects (2013 – 2015 Est-Lat RIVERWAYS and 2024 – 2026 Lat-Lit WaterWays) and spread further the watertourism network providing more access to more target groups.
Key project activities:
WP1 Waterfront access
- Pilot actions to improve access to waters (safe docking, boating, swimming, fishing sites etc.) – pier and beach accessibility improvements at 16 sites
- Survey, inspection, marking of accessibility of public recreational waters
- eu and mapeirons.eu upgrade
WP2 Accessible watertourism poroducts
- Hackathon in Vidzeme
- Study visit to Finland
- Training of watertourism operators – how to serve people with disabilities, families, seniors
WP3 Marketing
- 4 large-scale watersports events with involvement of target groups – people with disabilities, families, seniors
- 4 mini events with involvement of target groups (people with disabilities, families, seniors) in safe watertourism activities
- Travel Guide on accessible watertourism
- 5 local events with Green&Safe concept
- 4 digital campaigns
Project Coordinator at Kurzeme Planning Region:
Alise Lūse
Tel.: +371 26567874, alise.luse@kurzemesregions.lv
