Lithuania’s experience in developing rural tourism with Moldovan authorities

Two experts from Lithuania share the experience of their country in developing rural tourism. The experts held a public presentation on Friday, July 18, on topics like ecological agriculture and rural tourism. They shared their experience with Moldovan public officials, representatives of the associative field, businessmen, other experts and students interested in European affairs, says Info-Prim Neo. The seminar was organized within the frameworks of a project of the Moldovan-Lithuanian Foundation “European Integration Study Center” (EISC), and was supported by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project is aimed at exchanging the knowledge gathered throughout the process of European integration and the experience of an EU member state. Dr. Arunas Svitojus stated that Lithuania and Moldova have lots in common. This is a reason why the Lithuanian experience could be of great importance for Moldova on its way towards the European Union. The two countries have had the same starting point, the soviet past, but chose two different paths. Lithuania is now willing to share some “shortcuts” towards EU, said the expert. Regina Sirusiene, chief of the Lithuanian Association for Rural Tourism, told about her 11 years of experience in the field of rural tourism. The Association was founded in 1997, representing 17 agro-pensions. The number of these pensions has now risen to 1.5 thousand. The grounds for the developing of the rural tourism in Lithuania were set by adopting a special law, stipulating the conditions of location, installation and functioning of the rural pensions. The state’s support is essential in this matter, says Regina Sirusiene. The state must ensure a favourable legal body, economic stability, a good image of the country and to manifest a positive attitude towards the small business. The help offered by EU was essential for the rural tourism in Lithuania. During 2007-2013, EU offers annually about 20 million euros. Only for the 2008 year, 120 new projects have been approved. EU covers 50% of each project. The other half is covered by entrepreneurs, who are also the ones who start the projects (by buying the land, building the pension). A successful project in this field must encounter three basic elements: board, lodging and entertainment. Experience has shown that tourists prefer quite locations, virgin field views and country food. That is why it is important that the pension to be located among lakes, rivers and woods. The roads that lead to these pensions should also be of good quality, while the architecture and food to be 100% traditional, said the expert. The Lithuanian experience shows that the main clients of the pensions are the local tourists and not the foreigners. In Lithuania, these represent 97% of the total number of tourists. Even though the most wanted pensions are those with a small number of residents, the experts recommend that the entrepreneurs begin with a massive tourist project, in order to avoid bankruptcy. In Lithuania the maximum number of apartments in such places is 20. The pensions differ by the services these offer. Some offer an active resting (canoe, fishing, cycling), while others offer family rest (playgrounds for children, beaches and picnic fields), health services (natural treatments and baths), business (conference halls), creative workshops (painting, crafting), and family ceremonies (weddings, anniversaries). The pensions also differ by the quality of services. Each one has a standard of quality – from one to four storks (equal to the stars of the hotels). One day at a one stork pension, excluding the meals and entertainment, costs about 12 euros, while at a four stork pension, the cost ranges from 200 to 300 euros. In Moldova, on day at a pension, including the meals, costs around 25 euros.