The kick-off meeting of the WaterTour project was organised by the Directorate of Aukštaitija Protected Areas on 9–10 May 2024 in Biržai, Lithuania. The event brought together all project partners, as well as a representative of the lead partner of the WaterWays project, the Kurzeme Planning Region. During the meeting, participants discussed the main project objectives, the implementation of planned activities, and the potential development of a joint water tourism route. Special attention was given to the involvement of local tourism service providers, entrepreneurs, and communities to ensure a sustainable and engaging approach to water tourism.
The project WaterTour aims to develop the joint water tourism route by revealing the potential of rivers and lakes in Aukštaitija and Zemgale regions.
Although WaterTour and WaterWays are separate projects, their teams plan to collaborate closely, sharing expertise and aligning efforts to enhance cross-border water tourism opportunities in Latvia and Lithuania.
By fostering the principles of sustainable water tourism project partners will create a comprehensive tourist route that includes not only the infrastructure needed for tourism, but also attractions, services needed by travellers, and tourist information centers. Responding to the evolving post-pandemic demand for outdoor travel and customized routes, project partners will improve 12 water tourism locations, such as piers, recreational areas, mobile river docks, cable ferry. Informative signs will help tourists safely navigate 12 water areas in the rivers of Daugava, Mēmele (Nemunėlis), Dienvidsusēja, Šventoji and lake Aisetas, as well as in Zemgale region (Latvia), Aukštaitija region (Lithuania), including Labanoras, Gražute, Anykščiai regional parks and Biržai district.
To involve more interested parties in the preparation of the tourism route, meetings with partners and tourism service providers, an international conference will be organized. Public will be involved through public events, boating marathon, kayaking tours and other events.
The creation of a water route and associated information materials and maps are likely to attract more visitors to the border region, while creating opportunities for local communities, businesses, and tourism providers.
The project WaterTour, or “Promotion of Sustainable Water Tourism in the Lithuania-Latvia Cross-Border Region by Engaging Local Entrepreneurs and Communities” (LL-00134), is being implemented by the Zemgale Planning Region with the support of the Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania Cross-Border Cooperation Programme!
The project WaterWays, or “Development of the Water Route Network in Latvia and Lithuania by Expanding the Cross-Border Tourism Product www.riverways.eu” (LL-00011), is being implemented with the support of the Interreg Latvia – Lithuania Programme!
Official project website: https://latlit.eu/theprojects/waterways/
Information prepared by:
Viktorija Reine
Project Manager of the Kurzeme Planning Region
Phone: +371 28232978
Email: viktorija.reine@kurzemesregions.lv
