Livu Aqua Park Director Velta Lasmane complains that Latvia lags behind Lithuania in the incoming tourism sector. Lithuania has successfully exploited Russian tourists’ nostalgia for the Baltic sea resorts, she says, but Latvia has done its best to protect itself from Russian visitors. Initially, the water park was promoted as an attraction of regional importance, as it is too large for Latvia, but since then similar attractions have been built in Lithuania and Estonia. Lasmane stresses that there is a reduced VAT rate for tourism services in Lithuania. An EU directive provides for this opportunity, but Latvia doesn’t use it. Lasmane believes that the acquisition of EU funds could help to develop Latvia’s incoming tourism sector, but it is important that the funds are used effectively.

 

Biznes&Baltija, 2008-12-05