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Tourist information |
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Kuldiga town in the Valley of the River Venta has received the award European Destination of Excellence in 2007 launched by the European Commission, Ministry of Economics of Latvia and State Tourism Development Agency (STDA).
Vice President of the European Commission Guenter Verheugen proudly awarded the Mayor of Kuldiga Edgars Zalans and 10 winning destinations of the first phase of the pilot project "European Destinations of Excellence" (EDEN) on the occasion of the Annual Tourism Forum held in Algarve (October 26, 2007).
The area of tourism comprises Kuldiga historic center and the Venta Valley bordering the historic center including waterfalls Ventas rumba and Alekšupite. The historic center together with nature is the main tourism attraction in Kuldiga town and district and one of the main objects in Kurzeme (western part of Latvia).
Kuldiga has rights to use the brand EDEN to promote Kuldiga not only in Latvia, but in Europe as well. Two video films were taken on tourism development and possibilities in Kuldiga in summer 2007, thus the project EDEN ensured publicity for Kuldiga in the Valley of the River Venta not only in Latvia but also in whole Europe.
For the year 2006, the theme of the pilot project was related to rural tourism. The subtitle of the award for this specific year was “Best Emerging European Rural Destinations of Excellence”. STDA together with Ministry of Economics had invited municipalities to apply for this award. Eligible destinations were those which have implemented in any of the last 3 years initiatives that have contributed to the promotion of the local tourist offer through a better appreciation of the rural natural and cultural heritage. The other requirements were for places where a competitive tourism is developed in a way that ensures social, cultural and environmental sustainability and would be an example for other for the exchange of practices with other tourism destinations. Appropriate tourism planning documentation that shows the development of tourism in each municipality had to be provided.
Tourism is a priority number one according to Kuldiga Development Programme, an operational plan has been worked out, but Kuldiga Territory Plan tourism and recreation area has been marked as well as requirements to place the objects important for tourism and to protect culture and nature heritage. Several projects co-financed by the EU have been carried out by Kuldiga Town Council in order to promote tourism: Development of the Ecotourism in the Venta Valley (tourism tracks along the river Venta with informative elements, places for recreation, sightseeing tower and a ferry to cross the river Venta); The Development of Cycling Infrastructure in the Kurzeme Region (five tracks for bicycles with information signs, maps, booklets, GPS). In this context, the Old Red Brick Bridge over the Venta River will be renovated and pedestrian roads to the river and waterfall and the town centre will be established. It will be a basis for attractive tourism area (“live museum” complex) in the centre of the city and development for servicing businesses.
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/services/tourism/eden_winners_2007.htm
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Jaunākās "Kuldīgas Novada Vēstis" 
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