LIVE RIGA
RIGA PULLS PAST NEIGHBOURS AS MAGNET FOR VISITORS
The Latvian capital attracts more visitors than either Helsinki or Tallinn
Riga/Berlin, February 8, 2010 – Low priced hotels and restaurants and the LIVE Riga marketing campaign have contributed to a steady rise in the number of visitors to the Latvian capital since the end of 2009. As a result, the popularity of Riga as a tourist destination has overtaken that of its neighbours. In December 2009, the Art Nouveau city attracted twice as many visitors from Moscow as the Finnish capital Helsinki and six times as many as Estonia’s capital Tallinn.
Rising visitor numbers in Riga
The number of visitors to Riga by the end of 2009 had increased significantly. Passenger numbers flying with Latvian carrier Air Baltic (www.airbaltic.com) rose in every country targeted by the LIVE Riga advertising campaign. The countries showing the biggest year on year increase in traveller numbers in December 2009 were Finland (+139%), Russia (67%) and Lithuania (48%), followed by Estonia (30%), Norway (28%), Germany (11%) and Sweden (11%).
High class hotels at low prices
Bertolt Flick, President and CEO of Air Baltic, explains, “We have noticed that successful city marketing, when it is carried out professionally, brings immediate and significant results. With large numbers of newly built high-class hotels, in recent years Riga has become much more attractive to visitors. In addition, prices have fallen to a historically low level. 4 star hotel rooms are available from just 35 to 40 euros. Together with good value restaurants and low priced services and entertainment, Latvia now offers ideal conditions for holidaymakers and business travellers and incentives.”
Air Baltic: interim profits of 20 million euros
Air Baltic has announced interim profits of 20 million euros. Passenger numbers over the last year have risen by 6 per cent to 2.75 million. In 2010, Air Baltic will launch at least nine new direct routes and has already announced new routes to Madrid, Belgrade, Vaasa, Umea, Beirut, Amman and Manchester.
Air Baltic contact in Riga for this press release:
Mr. Janis Vanags, Vice President Corporate Communications, Riga International Airport, LV-1053 Riga Phone.: +371-6720 7726, Mobile: +371-2654 8365, E-mail: jnv@airbaltic.lv
Embassy contact: Prof. Andreas Mack mack@embassyexperts.com
EMBASSY WINS RIGA COMPETITION
In August 2009 Embassy wins the public tender of the City of Riga and airline airBaltic to develop a new brand and image for the Latvian capital. Ten international agencies had been invited to participate.
Within the project, Embassy is responsible for the strategic framework of the brand LIVE RIGA as well as for the brand design. Embassy is also contracted to conceive themes and strategic planning for seasonal campaigns. Embassy is not responsible for the creative development of current advertising campaigns. Embassy developed the brand LIVE RIGA in only two months. It was launched publicly in Riga on October 1st. The co-ordination of further resources within the project lies in the responsibility of Riga Tourism Development Bureau (RTAB). The City of Riga and airBaltic extend the international client list of Embassy who are working for U.S.-German Software AG, Telekom Austria or Renault and Mondial Assistance (France).
Embassy wins re-branding project for Latvian capital, PDF
Article in "The Baltic Course" Magazine
