“We made a decision to act proactively, without waiting for a decision, and not to wait until we experience bankruptcy and a wave of layoffs, because if the situation continued like this, then we would really expect it after one or two months or at the end of the season,” Jelena Kijaško, the chairman of the board of the Latgale Tourism Association, told TV24.
Tourismespecially in the regions, is seasonal, so small, family businesses, guesthouses, active recreation companies, those for which the summer period makes up the largest part of their income, were particularly vulnerable, explained J. Kijaško.
It has already been reported that the frequent cell broadcast warnings about a possible danger in the airspace and the cases when drones have arrived in Latvia affect the tourism industry in Latgale. Vacationers are increasingly worried about safety, so the number of reservations and the interest of foreign tourists in the region are decreasing. As indicated Latgale Tourism in the association, foreign tour operators and tourists have canceled up to 60% of their bookings, while the total drop compared to the previous year reaches about 40%. This threatens the economic stability of the region and the business environment.
“I would say that this summer season is not even threatened, but completely destroyed, some tourism entrepreneurs will definitely not survive and will go bankrupt. It is not just the eastern border, it is basically the whole of Latgale, because even the objects of the Preiļu district are refused,” said J. Kijaško, chairman of the association’s board.
By the end of this year, the association encourages the application of labor tax incentives to tourism companies in Latgale, as well as setting more flexible conditions in European Union and state aid projects, so that in a crisis situation, entrepreneurs are not punished for not fulfilling previously set goals, “lsm.lv” wrote.
The association invites government representatives to visit Latgali more often, holding trainings, seminars, meetings here – thus confirming support for the region and showing others that life continues here.
The Tourism Association of Latgale has sent a letter to the government and the highest officials of the country, calling on them to act in order to prevent the bankruptcy of companies, the loss of jobs and the collapse of economic activities on the border of Latvia.
“Independent” already wrote that Latgale encourages you to forget about drones, lay tables, wait for tourists and visitors.
Latgale encourages you to forget about dronessets the tables, waits for tourists and visitors – nra.lv
