Project No. C034
From April 4 to 6, the pilot testing of the new off-season tourism product “Where the Coast Calls: Rediscover Adventure” took place at Camping “Melnsils”, located in Slītere National Park. The initiative is part of the Light in the Dark project and aimed to test the appeal and feasibility of the product in real off-season conditions.
Photo – Solveiga Kaļva
Photo – Solveiga Kaļva
Photo – Solveiga Kaļva
Photo – Solveiga Kaļva
Photo – Solveiga Kaļva
Photo – Solveiga Kaļva
Photo – Solveiga Kaļva
Photo – Solveiga Kaļva
Participants from Finland, Estonia, and Latvia – including entrepreneurs and tourism professionals involved in the project – arrived on Friday evening, April 4, for dinner and an introduction to the programme. The main testing day was Saturday, April 5, starting with breakfast and a guided tour of the campsite, showcasing its unique accommodations: the Captain’s House with a sea view, barrel-shaped cabins, and authentic bunkers.
The core of the experience was a scenic 15 km hike along the coast from Cape Kolka to Melnsils, led by a local guide. Along the way, guests explored windswept beaches, dunes, cliffs, and remnants of Soviet-era military structures, culminating in the panoramic view from Ēvaži Bluff – the highest coastal point in Northern Kurzeme. Although the previous days had been sunny, the pilot day brought strong winds, snow, and chilly temperatures – perfect conditions to assess the viability of an off-season adventure. The programme continued with a warm lunch of solyanka soup, free time to relax, and an optional traditional Latvian sauna experience with sea dipping and herbal tea. The evening concluded with a dinner featuring sklandrausis, a traditional Latvian dish from the national culinary heritage.
To support evaluation, participants reviewed the product map in advance and shared their expectations. After the pilot, they completed an evaluation form to assess the strengths and areas for improvement in the product, particularly from the perspective of off-season tourism development. The insights gathered from the participants will serve as a valuable input for refining the offer and developing an off-season tourism guidebook, aimed at helping local entrepreneurs and promoting sustainable tourism year-round.
Project “Light in the Dark”
Light in the Dark is an Interreg Baltic Sea Region project aimed at developing innovative experiences to extend and create new seasons beyond the traditional summer season. The Challenge Inventory survey is conducted in all participating countries: Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It is aimed at SME’s in the Northern Baltic Sea region and explores the interest of small and medium-sized businesses in expanding their operations beyond the traditional summer season as well as the challenges they face regarding seasonal variations in tourist flows.
More about the project: https://www.kurzemesregions.lv/en/projects/tourism/light-in-the-dark/
Project manager:
Anna Elizabete Upsava
+371 26369876
anna.upsava@kurzemesregions.lv
