Lithuanian tourism professionals invited to visit Vidzeme at annual Latvian tourism seminar in Vilnius

On 10 April 2025, Ambassador of Latvia Solveiga Silkalna opened Latvian tourism seminar “Rediscover Latvia - Vidzeme, Latgale and more…” in Vilnius for representatives of the Lithuanian tourism industry about Latvia’s latest tourism opportunities. The event was opened by opera singers Rihards Mačanovskis and Brigita Reisone with a musical performance from International Sigulda Opera music Festival.

Latvian tourism seminar in Vilnius has already become a good tradition and this time emphasized tourism opportunities in Vidzeme region. This region is less known to tourists from Lithuania and therefore there are opportunities to build new cooperation and contacts. Representatives of the Gauja National Park, Sigulda, Turaida Museum Reserve and Gulbene-Alūksne Bānītis from Vidzeme made exciting presentations at the seminar.

In her adress to the seminar participants, Ambassador S.Silkalna emphasized that although Latvia is most often visited by our southern neighbors, there are still many interesting things to see and places to visit in Latvia, especially in Vidzeme. In addition, from 6 January 2025, thanks to the railway line Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn, guests from Lithuania have the opportunity to conveniently visit the cities of Vidzeme – Inčukalns, Sigulda, Līgatne, Ieriķi, Cēsis, Lode, Valmiera, Strenči and Lugaži. Ambassador also invited to watch the “Oscar”- winning Latvian film “Straume” ("Flow", in Lithuanian “Potvynis”) in cinemas across Lithuania, which also achieved sensational success at the largest Vilnius international film festival “Kino pavasaris” with sold-out halls both at nine in the morning and at ten in the evening - no other film at this film festival could boast such a phenomenal attendance.

Tourism seminar featured presentations not only from Vidzeme, but also from Latgale, Kurzeme and Zemgale, as well as from Riga and Jurmala, introducing both exciting places in the regions, cultural events and festivals, and opportunities to enjoy Latvian gastronomic traditions.

This annual seminar usually attracts a large number of participants, proving that our neighbors always have new opportunities to discover in Latvia. This year, the seminar was attended by 30 Lithuanian tourism industry professionals and mass media representatives and 15 Latvian tourism industry representatives.

At the end of the seminar, Lithuanian tourism industry professionals had the opportunity to establish direct contacts with representatives of Latvian tourism associations. The seminar was organized by the Tourism Department of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia with the support of the Embassy of Latvia in Lithuania.

Photo: Jeļena Markūne, representative of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lithuania