On 4 February 2017, the first Baltic-Russian cooperation tourism exchange (Turbirzha) will take place in Riga within the framework of the 24th International Travel Trade Fair “Balttour 2017”.

It is logical to continue developing Russian and Baltic tourism, as the Baltic states can be found on the world map of tourism due to their dynamic development and they are the closest geographical neighbours of Russia! Moreover, the need for cooperation is grounded on the aim of all parties to increase the flow of tourism between countries by making the most of the possibilities provided by one of the most developed hubs of the Baltic region – Riga, Latvia.

Statistics from 2016 indicate growth in the number of Russian tourists visiting the Baltic states. It is also essential that there are well-developed air transport links between Riga and Russian cities – 9 flights per day go to Moscow, 4 flights per day go to St Petersburg and it is planned to start flying to Kazan (from April 2017), Yekaterinburg (planned in 2017) and Sochi (planned in 2018).

Aim of Turbirzha – creation of new forms of cooperation between tourism business entrepreneurs, as well as the modification of existing formats by observing the dynamic changes in the needs of tourism service markets.

Participants:

• representatives of inbound and outbound tourism businesses from Russia

• representatives of travel agencies and tour operators operating in inbound and outbound tourism in Latvia and in the Baltic states

- tour operators and agencies

- hotels, health resorts, guest houses

- transport enterprises

- excursion organisers

- Tourist information centres (TIC)

- Representatives of state, regional and local government institutions

- Event tourism (MICE) organisers

- health and medical institutions

- sports complexes and others

Format – all representatives of the Russian delegation have their own discussion tables at Turbirzha with their main interest for discussion indicated – inbound, outbound or both directions. The representatives of Baltic tourism businesses will go around the tables making it possible for both sides to develop contacts in an effective way and present their capabilities and needs.

Working language – Russian.

“Balttour 2017” – a convenient place for East and West to meet, to make contacts in a comprehensible language and achieve mutual goals!