News

On 24 February, a meeting of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the State Department of Tourism and associated structures of the tourism sector took place in Vilnius. Current issues related to the promotion of inbound tourism were discussed at the meeting.

Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Egidijus Meilūnas presented the scope of activities and events during Lithuania’s European Union Presidency in the second half of 2013, as well as the expected positive impact on tourism.

“We wish to involve all the interested groups and the business sector into the preparation for the Presidency and the Presidency period itself. We would like to invite you to actively participate in these processes,” the Vice-Minister said.

Vice-Minister E.Meilūnas, who is in charge of economic diplomacy issues, acquainted the participants of the meeting with activities of Lithuania’s diplomatic representations abroad in the area of tourism.

The participants of the meeting also discussed ways to use more effectively the network of diplomatic representations in order to invite basketball fans to the European Men’s Basketball Championship in Lithuania. Member of the Board of the Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association Violeta Boreikienė assured that during the Championship, the prices of hotels would not be artificially increased.

Vice-Minister of Transport and Communications Rimvydas Vaštakas presented visions and perspectives of means of communications with Lithuania. The Vice-Minister expressed satisfaction with the results of the efforts that were made to improve Lithuania’s accessibility by means of air transport.

It is expected that the dialogue of tourism organizations with the “Lithuanian Railways” will solve the problems that arise to those who want to reach Lithuania by train during the very busy New Year period.

Director General of the State Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy Raimonda Balnienė stressed that when considering the directions of airlines and flight schedules, it was necessary to take into account also the proposals voiced by the tourism sector.

This is the second meeting of such kind, initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first meeting took place last December.