The leading Baltic tourism trade show and fair Balttour 2024 at the Ķīpsala Expo Centre is almost here. It will open its doors already on 2 February and close on 4 February. Balttour is a great place to find out about this season’s new and popular travel opportunities, as well as special deals for Latvia and other global destinations from about 300 participating tourism companies. Balttour 2024 should definitely be on your calendar too.
30th anniversary of Balttour
The first international tourism trade show and fair, organised by the Association of Latvian Travel Agents and Operators (ALTA), took place at the Riga Film Studio in 1994. The event soon grew to become the biggest in the Baltics and its management was handed over to Viesturs Tīle, father of the modern Latvian exhibition industry, thus paving the way for the BT 1 International Exhibition Company as we know it today. Known as Balttour for all these 30 years, it has gradually become the preferred place for professional networking, a pivotal event for travellers all over the Baltics and also a celebration for the whole travel industry.
Reklāma
Travel Trade Fair
Around 300 exhibiting companies of Balttour 2024 from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Albania, Georgia, Italy, Montenegro, Cyprus, Spain, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary, Germany and other countries will bring destinations from near and far closer to the visitors. Latvia’s leading tour operators, such as Tez Tour, Novatours, and travel agents, including Estravel, Nikos Travel, Interlux Travel and many more, will offer very lucrative deals on tours and travel, accommodation services. Frequent travellers will benefit from a variety of exotic destinations, for example, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia or maybe go for one of more preferred destinations like Turkey, Egypt, Spain or Greece, or maybe choose a Mediterranean cruise with Cruiselines Travel Agency, or Baltic Sea cruise offered by the Viking Line. And let’s not forget about the airBaltic cherry deals with excellent prices for the popular destinations.
Travel Latvia!
Best hiking trails and observation platforms, hotels and guest houses, cycling and water sport routes, old towns and parks, castles, palaces and manors, nature parks and museums, culinary destinations from all regions of Latvia (Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale) will be on full display at the Balttour 2024 with a variety of travel packages. Options that will suit all types of travellers.
Latgale display will provide detailed information about one of the longest cycling routes in Latvia, the EuroVelo 11, and 1,107km hiking route Ezertaka or the Lake Trail, as well as everyone’s favourite Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre. Latgalians will, as usual, offer some culinary delights and artisan masterpieces. Younger visitors will also find something for themselves here as Latgale stand will have children’s keychain and dream catcher workshop on 4 February.
Vidzeme will be well represented by radiant Smiltene region, which is well-known for its culinary torus, religious heritage sites and well-being services. Visitors looking for information about biggest events, thematic routes or one or two-day trip ideas should definitely visit the stand. Stand will also offer visitors a taste of Smiltene’s regional eats or a variety of foods that you can encounter daily if you visit the area between Rauna and Ape. Meanwhile, Madona display will give you all the updates on what is going on in Madona, Ērgļi, Cesvaine and Lubāna. On 2 February, nature guides will show Balttour 2024 visitors how to recognise animal voices and sounds, while owner of Lubāna Winery will treat everyone to home-made wine.
Visitors of Ķīpsala Expo Centre will be able to learn more about Chugger Land or Gulbene and Alūksne, which share the only regular narrow-gauge railway connection in the Baltics, or simply – the Gulbene-Alūksne line. Alūksne invites you to enjoy Veclaicene, a protected natural landscape area, while Gulbene would like to take you on the tour following former barons and dukes. Travel managers from any of these regions will be happy to suggest exciting hiking, cycling and culinary journeys, as well as excellent events in all four seasons. If you got to Limbaži region stand, you will be able to meet the Silverman from the Quicksilver Museum, take part in the Mystery Box competition and win the Travellers Card.
Kurzeme will invite you to come along and enjoy a diverse programme of cultural events taking place at the Concert Hall Latvia, visit Ventspils Science Centre VIZIUM, learn more about the existing and future tourist attractions in Ventspils and even win some Vents or the local currency of Ventspils. Ventspils Amusement Park is the right place for those who prefer active leisure. You will find skiing slope and water amusements there. Meanwhile, Kandava Wine Distillery and Birznieki Farm will bring you on the Kandava Taste Journey without leaving the Ķīpsala Expo Centre.
Zemgale will be represented by Bauska and Aizkraukle regions. Visitors will be lured into visiting Aizkraukle History and Art Museum or Ērberģe Manor, which has ancient, three-hundred-year-old oak tree as its main attraction.
Balttour 2024 will also present regional crafts and artisan market, with Latvian producers offering to taste and buy various local produce in a heart-warming setting.
Riga Metropolitan Area tourism
EXIT RIGA, the new application and the brand promoting Riga Metropolitan Area tourism, will be revealed at the Balttour 2024 to make your vacation or business travel plans to greater Riga area more convenient. App will contain descriptions of more than 2,000 tourist attractions. Visitors of Balttour will be offered to enter into quiz on various tourist locations around Riga or join an interactive game called Find the right one, or use the app to mark their favourite sites around Mārupe, Olaine, Ķekava, Ādaži, Ropaži and Salaspils.
Latvian castles, palace and manors all in one place
After a longer absence, Latvian Association of Castles, Palaces and Manors is returning to Balttour with an extensive display that will take you into the past and let you experience the glamour of local castles, palaces and manors. Visitors of Ķīpsala Expo Centre will be able to appreciate around 100 different castles, palace and manors. Already on the opening day, 2 February, visitors will be offered to discover 18th century Rococo style clothing from Lielplatone Manor, while 3 February will focus on 19th century Biedermeier fashion clothing from Svitene Palace. Children will be entertained by the cheerful Cesvaine Palace wolf on 4 February. Valmiermuiža beer will add to the festive mood.
Amazing travel destinations in Lithuania and Estonia
Lithuanian and Estonian Travel agents and operators are also working hard towards the forthcoming tourist season and will bring their most exciting and recent tourist attractions to the Balttour 2024. Come to Balttour 2024 to learn more about the strong favourite around Latvian tourists, the Pakruojis Manor. This manor is also notable for its flower festival, its most recent addition to manor’s activities. If you like candy, you must definitely visit Rūta Chocolate Museum display where you will find out the history of Confectionary Plant and also learn more about secrets behind chocolate-making and chocolate workshops.
Those who intend to travel to Estonia must go to Visit Narva stand. Narva is a town that will not only inspire you with its unique and diverse culture, unbelievable history and breath-taking nature, but is also a great destination for foodies. Visitors will also be offered to take a peek at Rakvere, a smaller town in the north of Estonia that has impressive 13th century castle ruins, modern town square and excellent punk music events.
Spa options
Balttour will also offer wide variety of spa options to those who prefer this kind of relaxation. Come to Balttour to learn more about newest offers, get special deals on services or consult with professionals on best available treatment, well-being or relaxation procedure right for you. Baltic Beach Hotel, Hotel Jūrmala SPA, SemaraH Hotel Lielupe Spa & Conferences have many great products to offer to you. Narva-Jõesuu Medical Spa, Eglės sanatorija, UPA Medical SPA, Vytautas Mineral SPA and other neighbouring spa service providers will also bring diverse and popular spa centre programmes to Balttour where you will be able to choose the right one for your price range.
Professional travel industry events
The official opening of Balttour 2024 will take place on 2 February, at 11:00, on the Main Stage. It will be followed by Professional of the Year in Tourism 2023 award ceremony, which is the annual highlight for the Latvian tourist industry. airBaltic will also reveal its new flight destinations on the morning of the opening day, while Latvian travel agents and operators will present their services and companies and key international market travel operators will engage in matchmaking. More detailed information about Balttour 2024 events is available here: www.balttour.lv/program.php#events
Exhibition is organised by the Association of Latvian Travel Agents and Operators (ALTA) with support of BT 1 International Expo Company.
Follow updates on: www.facebook.com/balttour and www.instagram.com/balttour/
Entrance fees:
Adults: EUR 6
Students, pupils, senior, disabled: EUR 5 (valid documents are mandatory)
Family ticket (2+1 or 1+2): EUR 12
+EUR 2 for each additional child
Children under 7 can enter for free
PRO ticket (for professional visitor): EUR 15
Don’t waste time standing in line, buy online: www.balttour.lv/visit.php
Parking: EUR 5
Opening hours:
2 February: 10:00–13:00 (for professionals only)
2 February: 13:00–18:00
3 February: 10:00–18:00
4 February: 10:00–17:00
MOST POPULAR of WEEK
