Workshop programme

Workshop programme

June 9, 2010

	8:30	Registration and coffee
	9:00	Press conference

	9:30	Opening of the workshop
		Marketing of tourism in Latvia - the concept, strategy, implementation. Project "European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN)". Armands Slokenbergs, Latvian Tourism Development Agency

	Panel 1: Rural tourism in Europe - state of art and quo vadis?
	The panel discusses changes and trends in rural tourism product and market under present economic conditions in Europe. The presetations offer comparative overview of the situation by countries, effects of the crisis on travelling habits, rural tourism sector reaction to changes and ways of successful adaption.
	9:50	Rural tourism in Europe 1980 - 2010 - a change of paradigm? Klaus Ehrlich, President of European Federation of Farm and Village Tourism "EuroGites"
	10:10	Country presentations on the current trends and panel discussions: Greece - Peggy Balitsari, Guest Inn, The Greek Network of Rural Accommodation Spain - Francois Derbaix, Toprural
	11:30	Coffee break

	Panel 2: Innovations in rural tourism - beyond the traditional concepts
	The panellists will talk about capacities of rural tourism to diversify its traditional concepts, services and forms adapting to the market needs, while maintaining product recognition. The panel discusses innovative approaches to product development, marketing and promotion.
	12:00	Innovations in rural tourism products and marketing Hans Embacher, Austrian Farm holidays
	12:30	Panel discussion and country examples United Kingdom - Andy Woodward, Farmstay UK Bulgaria - Kiril Kaloyanov, Bulgarian Association for Alternative tourism Latvia - Asnāte Ziemele, Latvian country holidays
	14:00	Lunch

	Panel 3: Regional and specialised tourism products - how to improve the local value chain
	The panel discusses best practices in developing regional specialised products achieving involvement and dedication of local stakeholders - rural tourism providers, local municipalities and others.
	15:00	Developing nature based products, motivating and involving local community. Case study: the Slitere National Park, Latvia Juris Smaļinskis, Latvia country holidays "Lauku ceļotājs". Project POLPROP-NATURA, (LIFE07/ENV/LV/000981)
	15:30	Panel discussion and country examples Slovenia - Vesna Čuček, Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia, Agriculture and Forestry Institute Celje Lithuania - Linas Žabaliūnas, Lithuanian rural tourism association Germany - Cornelia Hass, Landurlaub Mecklenburg- Vorpmmern
	17:00	Coffee break

	18:30	Meet in the lobby of the Islande Hotel for a tour of Rīga
	19:00	Boat trip on the river Daugava and Riga canal to enjoy the sights of Riga ( Riga Central Market, National Opera House, the President's Castle and the panoramma of Old Town)
	20:00	Dinner at the riverside restaurant Ostas Skati
	22:00	Departure of the first bus to the hotel Islande. Should you wish to walk back to the hotel, please be aware that it will be an approximately 20 minutes walk.

June 10-11, 2010

	There are two options to continue the programme on June 10 - 11, 2010:
		EuroGites general assembly
		Study tour to rural tourism establishments in Latvia