COETUR 2019

1. Título
Subtítulo
Lithuanian countryside
tourism association
experience and development
trends
Rural tourism association of Lithuania
www.countryside.lt
May 2019,
President
Linas Zabaliunas

2. Welcome to Lithuania!

3. 650 rural hospitalities
30 Campsites
333 agents
387 hotels 129 tour operators
4213 guides
9 resorts
Tourism
sector
Over 100
campgrounds
Unknown private
rentals?!
5 % to GDP
1,5 mln. domestic
tourists
1,5 mln.
Incoming tourists

4. Where next?
Technology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7eHinI
95rc
Reasons to
travel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jLx_Z8
mV2g
Hyperloop one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fu-
6IDp3Fo

5. 1. Tourism – priority sector.
2. Fair play!
3. Stability

6. Accommodation
Collective:
Hotels;
Motels;
Campings;
Guesthouses
Individual:
Rural tourism service;
B&B’s
RT by law
Rural tourism service - Accommodation service provided in rural area or
small town with total population under 3000 people and beside accommodation -
catering, activities or event services can be provided
2,92 mln. tourists;
1,37 mln. domestic tourist;
324,8 thous. rural tourism;
Every 5th stay in rural
tourism sector!

7. Go Rural!

8. Nature Country
life
Traditions

10. Video content

11. o Rural tourism started in 1997. There were only 17
homesteads. Today we have 710 homesteads;
o Rural tourism is considered as alternative activity in
the countryside;
Rural tourism in Lithuania
0
200
400
600
800
1997 2000 2004 2006 2008 2014 2018
17
150
361
531 546
642
710
Homesteads

12. LCTA strategy
Vision - to make RT cozy, hospitable and high quality holiday destination by
developing a competitive rural tourism product.
Mission – to create possibilities and be a helping hand for development of
competitive and widely acceptable rural tourism product.
.

13. LCTA unites 425 members – 60% of RT
sector in Lithuania)

14. 0
50
100
150
200
1 stork 2 storks 3 storks 4 storks 5 storks
14
59
151
112
13
Homsteads (%)
QUALITY OF THE HOMESTEADS

15. Rural tourism service specializations
2011 +

16. Relevant for Rural Tourism
“The client buys dreams, not just a room”
• The experience or activity comes first, place on the globe is second
• Many niche products: specialize on strong
assets
• Internet is the most important source of
information, evaluation and contribution from
other travellers is important
• Visibility is essential - and easy for niche
products through SEO
• Authenticity of the holiday (!) experience
Competition is world-wide

17. Vision 2025:
• Occupy the mind of customers: we stand for
“green”, “healthy”, and “feel good”
• >20% of EU vacational overnights
• >30% international visitors
• Visibility through clear transnational brand
• Consumer-based quality and product development
• E-community driven, tailor-made holiday experiences
• Maintaining lively rural communities

18. ICT
78 %

20. Marketing RT
• Press trips;
• Fam trips;
• Events
Nebeprisivaizdotinklaraštininkaujantiesiems
Blogs Vlogs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds
XpOgOuNgs
Influencers

21. Looking forward to seeing you in
Lithuanian countryside!
www.countryside.lt