Lithuanian tourism struggles in face of uninterested officials

It’s now painfully clear that over-optimistic hopes that foreigners would rush to Vilnius, this year’s European Capital of Culture, have been dispelled. It would be good if the number of tourists didn’t fall this year compared to 2008. A triple blow has been delivered against the Lithuanian tourism market this year – the global economic crisis, the cancellation of a VAT concession for hotels and the bankruptcy of flyLAL, leaving a vacuum of routes from the Lithuanian capital. Those tourists around the world who are intent on travelling abroad for a holiday are looking for cheaper destinations. Unfortunately, the Lithuanian government is losing interest in destination marketing since high-ranking officials appear to merely be asking themselves: "What’s in it for me?"

 

Lietuvos Rytas, 2009-05-05