CONFERENCETourism Destination Management Issues in Latvia
Andris Klepers
Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences
DOI: 10.22364/fg.16.7
Keywords: tourist destination, management, strategy planning, tourist accommodation
Abstract
The management of tourism destinations has been extensively studied, but not so much on a local level. There is a link between tourism destination concept and the local municipality scale and directions to increase their competitiveness should be identified. Methods of research include spatial analysis discovering various interconnections. Although Latvia has rich natural and cultural heritage, only 5% of them are popular in tourism. More than a half of Latvia's administrative counties are weak as tourism destinations and their development requires a strategic partnership with neighbouring municipalities. Competitive advantages are of growing importance in the following stage of development over comparative advantages widely used already and that should include smart destination management and larger involvement of private entrepreneurs.