The beginning of 2008 was good for the travel and tourism industry in Latvia, but the end of the year arrived with serious concerns about 2009. Aigars Smiltans, chairman of the board of the travel agency Latvia Tours assesses 2008 as being positive for the tourism industry. It was also successful for the international tour operator Tez Tour, which increased its business significantly in Latvia. According to a representative of Baltic Travel Group, it was important that Latvia joined the Schengen zone in 2008. At the inbound-only agency Via Hansa Tours, meanwhile, business increased by about 5 percent in the first nine months of last year compared to the same period in 2007.

 

Dienas Bizness, 2009-01-13