“Sustainable cross border cooperation for winter tourism development”, SnowPower, Nr.LL-00123

Project title and number

“Sustainable cross border cooperation for winter tourism development”

SnowPower / No.LL-00123

Project partners

Lead partner – Daugavpils City Government, Latvia

Partner – Visaginas municipality, Lithuania

Priority

Priority 4 - Economic potential of tourism and heritage

Specific objective:

4.1 Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation

Common territorial challenge(s) that project tackles

Latvia and Lithuania have a pronounced seasonality of tourism: the large influx of tourists in both countries is observed in the period from July to September. As statistical data for the overnight stays in accommodation establishments of Daugavpils (Latvia) and Visaginas (Lithuania) has shown - tourists visit both cities more often in June, July and August. Less tourists use the opportunities to stay in Daugavpils or Visaginas accommodation establishments in winter months, which means that winter is our low tourism season.

Project objective

To enhance the low tourism season – winter, thus contributing to economic development and sustainability of Daugavpils (Latvia) and Visaginas (Lithuania) cross-border region as a sustainable tourism destination.

Planned activities

Project SnowPower will use the opportunity to enhance tourism through cross-border cooperation. By establishing a cooperation network between Daugavpils and Visaginas municipalities, it will implement joint activities that are directed to motivating more tourists to come to this area, and stay longer. Project SnowPower will use this cross-border cooperation to promote the diversification of tourism offers.

1. Investments will be made in development of tourism offers - ski tracks both in Visaginas (ski track repair in the forest in Visaginas) and in Daugavpils (installation of the artificial snow blanket creation system in the Stropi forest).

2. Purchase of sleds for people with special needs in Daugavpils and skis and roller skates in Visaginas.

2. Cross-border marketing tourism activities to promote Daugavpils and Visaginas cross-border region as destination for active winter tourism activities – (videos, media trips, ski track opening events).

3. Capacity building for tourism professionals - training «Green and digital skills in tourism supporting winter tourism season», study visits, brainstorm sessions.

As the result of the implemented activities, both Daugavpils and Visaginas cross-border region will have become more sustainable and more inclusive tourism destination.

The project is financed by Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027

Project budget: 740 414.43 EUR

ERDF co-financing 80%: 592 331.54 EUR

Project implementation period

24 month: 01.02.2024 - 31.01.2026

Find more about the project on Programme’s website:

https://latlit.eu/theprojects/sustainable-cross-border-cooperation-for-winter-tourism-development/