The strategic location, unique nature, competitive prices and high quality of services are aspects that all make Latvia an attractive destination for travellers from all over the world. Latvia offers an array of options for those interested in organizing conferences, congresses, seminars, discussions, summits, as well as motivational events for work teams.
Business tourism or MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events/Exhibitions) in Latvia is thriving due to several factors: the country's strategic location and well developed travel and transport infrastructure, such as modern sea-ports and air traffic hub, which is largest in the Baltics. Furthermore, Latvia is characterized by both cost flexibility and high quality of services, as well as high safety standards, with many modern hotels and business meeting centres in addition to extensive and varied recreational opportunities, breathtaking and lush nature, and the experience of all four seasons. Local service providers are highly experienced and adaptable, providing for high quality events no matter their size or purpose.
Strategic location and access to the Baltic region
Latvia's location in the centre of Northern Europe makes it an important transport hub, providing an easy transit route between the neighbouring Baltic States – Lithuania and Estonia, as well as destinations across Europe and the world, at the same time being a notable and easily accessible destination itself. Riga Airport offers air travel to more than 100 locations around the world, making travel to Latvia possible from many different countries and regions. The capital city of Riga is also easily accessible from the Baltic Sea due to its’ well-developed port infrastructure. Large cruise ships sailing from the Baltic Sea through the Gulf of Riga can dock on the banks of the Daugava River near the Old Riga district. This provides direct access to the romantic Old Town, the unique historical architecture and atmosphere of which can be enjoyed in spades.
Riga – the perfect place for business events
It is no secret that people in the business world are looking for new places to organize business activities. Latvia is a great choice, as local entrepreneurs offer a sprawling range of premises and suitable infrastructure to organize all kinds of events. Many venues in Riga offer serene views of the Daugava River and historical parks of Riga. Riga has long been an important centre of trade and culture. During the Middle Ages it was part of the Hanseatic League – a commercial network of merchant guilds and market towns. Riga has a long-standing and richly developed heritage, which is visible today in the city's atmosphere and architecture. Riga's streets and buildings embody both its past and present, allowing anyone to create an event suited to their desired tastes and scale. With modern conference centres and hotels that are equipped with the latest technologies, both small working group meetings and larger organizational events are ensured to be of the highest quality. And what is of no less importance – the tourism sector personnel in Latvia are fluent in English.
The most popular conference venues in Riga and the surrounding area
Riga is home to many hotels and conference centres, such as “Radisson Blu”, “Tallink Hotel Riga”, “Fantadroms”, “VEF Kvartāls”, “Hanzas Perons”, “ATTA Centre”, as well as others, which offer excellent opportunities for business meetings, seminars and working group discussions. Places of historical significance are especially worth highlighting, such as the “VEF Kultūras pils”, “Kultūras pils Ziemeļblāzma”, as well as the “National Library of Latvia” and the “Mežaparka Lielā estrāde”. Riga regularly hosts conferences that cover a wide range of topics – from technology and business to healthcare and tourism. There are also places outside of the city where such events transpire. Jurmala is especially worth mentioning, as it continues to be the largest resort town in Latvia. It is located very close to Riga and to Riga Airport, and is easily accessible by various types of transport. A few attention-worthy venues include the hotel “Lielupe by Semarah Hotels”, located in a pine forest a few hundred meters from the beach, “Kurshi Hotel & SPA”, the “Dubultu Concert Hall” and the “Dzintaru Concert Hall” – a cultural pearl on the Baltic Sea coast, and others.
Modern event venues in Latvian regions
Event venues in Latvia's regions offer an extraordinary amount of culture and history – from luxurious manors and picturesque parks to majestic castles. Each event will become an unforgettable experience that will allow guests to discover new cultural nuances. In Kurzeme, sleek and modern business centres dot the seaside cities of Liepaja and Ventspils. Let us highlight just a few – the Ventspils Science Center “VIZIUM”, the Liepaja Concert Hall “Lielais dzintars” and the Liepaja Olympic Center. In the city of Sigulda not only can you enjoy a peaceful walk through the trails of the Gauja Valley, but you can also uncover the gem that is the Sigulda New Castle. Much like Sigulda, Latgale also offers appropriate infrastructure for organizing events of all sizes, for example, the Embassy of Latgale “GORS”. In Daugavpils, the conference sector of the Rothko Museum is noteworthy, as this museum is in the territory of the Daugavpils Fortress, fusing the historical with the modern. What’s more, a place not to miss in Zemgale is Rundale Palace. The biggest cities in every Latvian region where these and many other objects of interest lie can be reached from Riga by car in no more than a few hours. Latvia's road and railway network is also well developed, allowing for quick and convenient travel between larger municipalities and to more remote locations.
Industry exhibitions and trade events
Latvia is also a great destination for exhibitions and trade events for various business sectors – from industry and engineering to food and design, offering entrepreneurs and organizations the chance to make important connections and increase their market visibility. Undeniably, the most important exhibition venue in Latvia is the International Exhibition Centre in Ķīpsala. The centre, located on Ķīpsala island, boasts many exhibition halls and large conference rooms. As such, it has become a popular venue for international exhibitions where companies present their latest products, services and technologies. The interior of the premises is stylish and attractive, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The centre’s infrastructure is robust, providing all the necessary services for event organizers and visitors alike. Moreover, the surroundings area of the Ķīpsala Exhibition Centre is one of the richest heritage sites in Riga, featuring a host of historical wooden buildings, both original and restored. Ķīpsala also provides a wonderful view of the Riga skyline and Daugava. The island is easily accessible both by public transport and on foot – it is only a 20 min walk from the Old Town.
Motivational travel and active recreation
Latvia offers a variety of motivational travel options, which are becoming increasingly popular with international companies and corporations. Employee offers can range from individual luxury trips to team-building group activities. If active leisure is of interest, there are several places near Riga where you can organize recreational activities, for example, the adventure parks in Sigulda “Kaķīškalns” or “Tarzāns”. Alternatively, “Sigulda adventures” provides safe, yet thrilling adventures from heights such as bungee jumping, flying with the Latvian-invented “Zērglis”, or a more calming and scenic cable car ride. Both hiking and horseback riding are also good options to consider in Sigulda.
Team building events and relaxation at the SPA
Nothing unites a team like experiencing and overcoming difficulties. Professional team building companies such as “Survival School”, “Real Adventure” or “Roadgames” will help facilitate such bonding experiences, offering a break from accustomed daily routines and challenging the team to collaborate and problem-solve together in nature. On the flipside, hotels such as “Hotel Jūrmala SPA”, “Amber Sea Hotel” and “Baltic Beach Hotel & SPA” allow your team to break away from stress and relax peacefully and comfortably.
High safety standards
To ensure that travellers are safe and feel comfortable, Latvia's government authorities, in accordance with national laws and international requirements, have developed regulations that apply to all tourist sites, such as hotels, tourist information centres, tourist buses and restaurants. These regulations set requirements for the quality of services, safety and infrastructure. Great attention is given to tourism safety as to ensure a pleasant and safe experience for guests.
In recent years, especially when considering countries in which to establish and develop businesses, representatives have paid considerable attention to global security. Despite the proximity of Russia and its relatively recent full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Latvia meets all of the security criteria. The greatest guarantee of security and reliability is Latvia's membership in the NATO alliance – the world's largest and most influential military organization. As such, units from the organization's member-countries are stationed in Latvia. In addition, international meetings and military training is regularly held in Latvia with a large number of participants, giving Latvian hotels and business centres the opportunity to gain experience in organizing such events.
Latvia – the ideal place for your events and dreams to come true
For local entrepreneurs, business tourism has become an important avenue for attracting finance, and consequently it contributes to the development of appropriate infrastructure, and an increase in the quality of services. What makes Latvia an especially attractive business meeting place for entrepreneurs from Western Europe and the Nordic countries is that while the costs of services are competitive, the quality provided still remains remarkably high.