- Tourism as creative force for spatial planning in Latvia   click here to open paper content500 kb
by    Trusins, Jekabs & Bebriss, Ivars | trusins@hotmail.com   click here to send an email to the auther(s) of this paper
Short Outline
The aim of this paper is to outline some existing conditions and problems of organizing the tourism and recreation as creative economic sector in Latvia, to define the strategic goals and tactics of tourism spatial development.
Abstract
The contemporary situation of Latvia as the boarder country of EU creates a very high possibility of realizing the strategy “Latvia – Bridge” between East and West, proposed in 90ies, with appropriate priorities for tourism, trade and communication.
The elements of this strategy on the national level are: 1/ Reduction of the industrial sector, which requires imported labor power and raw materials. 2/Comprehensive enhancement of tourism and recreation industry, stressing national characteristics. 3/Stimulation of environmental development and protection of rural landscapes and forests, rehabilitation of natural and built environment, development of sustainable cities and towns. 4/ Humanization of the built environment, with improvement of social and spiritual quality of life.
The main goal is the development of a profitable and sustainable tourism system in following directions: .
1/ up-grading of the small boarding-houses and hotels on the sea-shore and in small towns, as well as promotion of rural-tourism; 2/ creating the Regional Tourism and Rekreation Centre (RTRC) in City of Riga and four regions of Latvia (Vidzeme, Latgale, Zemgale, Kurzeme).
The location of the Riga RTRC is proposed as part of urban village at the lake Jugla as result of revitalization the brownfield area. RTRC will ensure the partly employment for residents of urban village.
Location of RTRC in small towns and rural areas will create new jobs without significant financial and time resources for professional training. .
The analysis, classification and evaluation of tourism resources of Latvia is accomplished. The spatial distribution of the recreative potential give the basic information for spatial planning of development the tourism system in Latvia.

Keywords
Tourism and recreation, development strategy, spatial planning, tourism resourses.
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