From ancient Latvian recipes to the manor house table - tourism service providers explore and evaluate Zemgale’s gastronomic tourism offerings

On October 13 and 14, 2026, an inspection visit organized by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) organized a fact-finding visit for providers of inbound tourism services in Latvia. During the visit, participants explored the region’s culinary tourism offerings and assessed their potential in international markets.

The goal of the visit was to raise awareness of Zemgale’s gastronomic tourism opportunities, strengthen cooperation with local businesses, and promote the inclusion of new tourism offerings in programs designed for international travelers. At the same time, participants had the opportunity to explore and evaluate the tourism product “From Ancient Latvian Recipes to the Manor Table,” developed by the Zemgale Tourism Cooperation Network.

The participants particularly appreciated the opportunity to explore Zemgale’s cultural heritage and gastronomic traditions through a unified tourism experience. This offering aligns with the international tourism market’s interest in authentic, diverse, and locally rooted travel experiences. The combination of culture and gastronomy provides an opportunity to develop high-value-added tourism products, thereby strengthening Zemgale’s competitiveness in foreign markets.

The experience gained and the contacts established during the inspection visit lay the groundwork for the development of new tourism routes and programs that could attract more foreign visitors and encourage tourists to stay longer in the region. At the same time, the visit highlighted the importance of developing a high-quality, sustainable tourism offering that meets the demands of the international market.

On the second day of the event, representatives from the Bauska, Jelgava, and Dobele tourism information centers briefed participants on the latest developments and current tourism trends in their respective regions, and answered questions from tour operators regarding the inclusion of these offerings in travel itineraries.

The inspection visit was a significant step in promoting Zemgale as a diverse and attractive tourist destination, fostering cooperation between local tourism businesses and inbound tour operators, and creating new opportunities for the export of the region’s tourism products.

This event was part of the “Tourism Product Development Program” project (Identification No. 1.2.3.6/1/23/I/001).

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