On November 16^th AmCham Tourism and Hospitality working group conducted a roundtable meeting with Vice Mayor of Riga Ainars Slesers. The main objective of the meeting was to discuss ways how to improve tourism environment in Riga and to get to know more about the new initiatives undertaken by the municipality.

During the Tourism roundtable, Mr. Slesers discussed the establishment of the Riga Tourism Development Bureau and the anticipated cooperation with the Latvian Association of Hotels and Restaurants. He also gave an in-depth explanation on the new city brand LIVE RIGA and indicated that one million lats from the municipal budget have been invested in advertising Riga as a tourist destination on seven markets, including Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Lithuania and Estonia. There will be additional investment funds allocated into this campaign next year. “Marketing is of utmost importance. Each product needs a campaign and I believe this campaign will make a common platform to successfully sell Riga as a tourist destination”, said Vice Mayor.

Mr. Slesers also shared his future plans and welcomed input from member hotels and restaurants in organizing the Mayors Summit (including 80 mayors from CIS countries) scheduled for the July of 2010. Slesers encouraged AmCham members to cooperate and partner with the municipality in planning this summit. "We are open to ideas that can help making Riga as the place for international events. Therefore we will need cooperation from all of you. If we succeed with next summer’s event, it could be made an annual event,” Slesers stated.

Slesers took a number of questions from members, including how to attract large trade fairs to Riga; launching direct flights to the U.S., developing medical tourism and describing the identity of Riga. 

Slesers stated that LIVE RIGA definitely means that any hotel could be part of this campaign. „You can be part of this program and show off your products. We have developed a common brand to present our best products. You can put your product inside this campaign, but it must be qualitative,” he said.

Mr. Slesers welcomed ideas and suggestions on how to improve not only the overall tourism environment in Riga, but also the work of the municipality. He encouraged members to invite Bertold Flick, Director of the Riga Tourism Development Bureau to their next meeting to further discuss cooperation opportunities.

Check the video below!

Riga Vice Mayor speaks at AmCham Tourism Roundtable