Zeszyt naukowy - całość - Wydział ZarzÄ dzania i Ekonomiki Usług

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Amanda Mieze
Riga – the city of inspiration – is one of the slogans currently used by the city
government. The Long-Term Development Strategy of Riga until Year 2025
stresses the geographic location of Riga, emphasizing the fact that the city will develop
as the cultural, educational and tourism centre of the Baltic region. Implementation
of the Strategy is ensured by The Development Programme of Riga for
2006–2012 which indicates that the city’s economic competitiveness and international
identity will be promoted by culture and tourism – they will serve as a source
of revenue and as a means of forming a positive image of the city 13 . The basic principles,
goals and action targets for the development of tourism are defined in The
Riga City Tourism Guidelines for years 2008–2012 14 . They suggest the vision for
Riga as an attractive and diversified tourism destination, attracting foreign and domestic
tourists by forming of the city’s image, informing about tourism opportunities
and offering a variety of tourism products in a secure and orderly environment.
Also Riga’s Tourism Coordination and Information Centre has been working since
2002 – it renders information about tourism offers to travelers.
Riga is the most important tourist destination of Latvia. According to Central
Statistical Bureau 15 (CSB) data 34% of lodging capacity in 2008 was concentrated
in Riga and two thirds of foreign guests have chosen to stay there overnight. Also
the number of lodging units, the number of guests serviced and the number of services
offered since 1991 has increased every year. During the last ten years the
lodging capacity in Riga has doubled while the number of overnight visitors has
tripled. The main target markets for Riga in the year 2008 were mainly European
countries – Germany, Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, Russia, Sweden, Norway and
Great Britain.
Traditionally tourism in Riga has been based on its cultural and historical
resources and architectural attractions which are primarily located in Old Town 16 .
The historic centre of the city is listed as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites
because of unique and preserved structure of town planning. Also more than one
third of Old Town buildings are built in well known art nouveau architecture thus
representing Riga as one of the main European art nouveau centers. There are more
than 50 museums in the capital and the thematic range of them is extensive – they
cover branches such as history, art, literature, medicine and nature. Riga also has
deep theatre traditions – 5 repertory theatres and 5 music institutions, including The
Latvian National Opera work in the city. The National Song and Dance Festival
which takes place every four years is recognized by UNESCO as a unique cultural
13
Development Program of Riga for 2006–2012, Riga City Council, 2005.
14
The Riga City Tourism Guidelines for years 2008–2012, www.riga.lv, 15.01.2010.
15
www.csb.gov.lv, 15.01.2010.
16
M. Rozite, Tourism Development, Pitfalls and Future Opportunities in Riga – the City of
Inspiration, University of Latvia, Riga 2008.