Riga, a vibrant metropolis in Latvia, was the destination of the 5th Experience Exchange.
Under the aspect of "Accessible Tourism for All under the point of view of Vocational Education and Training for high-priced quality tourism", the participants visited various institutions and tourist facili-ties.
After a day of getting to know the participants, a visit to the Riga Technical School of Tourism and Creative Industry Ltd. took place. This school combines the apprenticeship in the hotel and catering industry with the apprenticeship in creative professions. Students from the age of 15/16 years can learn here, among others, the profession of a chef, restaurant specialist, baker, confectioner or inte-rior designer and tailor. Since the students have to complete an internship during their three- or four-years training-period and the school cooperates with several hotels in and around Riga, the partici-pants of the mobility could gain an insight at the work / apprenticeship in practice in a five-star hotel.
The project "Latvia 100" is an initiative for the 100th anniversary of Latvia, which is supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture and was presented by Ms Linda Pavļuta, director of the “Latvia 100” of-fice in Riga and Martiņš Enģelis, employee of the Economic Development Agency Riga in the tour-ism sector.
As a part of this campaign, activities on the subject 100 years of Latvian will be carried out all over the country. For example: "Latvia 100 - Great Trees". In a certain period, the population is called to go into nature and find the largest tree. The background is that time is spent with the family in na-ture. Following the presentation of the project and intensive discussions and workshops, a visit to the National Library of Latviatook place. It has also become very clear that the Latvian people are very proud of their history, culture and themselves.
Jūrmala, a tourist region on the Baltic coast of Latvia, was the focus of the third day. This region is well known in Europe for a very good health tourism. On this day Ms Gunta Ušpele, director of the tourism department of Jūrmala, accompanied the participants. She informed about the emergence of health tourism in the region, guided the participants to an open nature museum, which is run by volunteers and arranged an insight into one of the largest hotels, the Baltic Beach Hotel, which is specialized in health tourism.
Additionally, the participants had the opportunity to reflect their impressions and experiences and to exchange ideas in the following workshops. A very eventful and experienced week came then to an end.
