Riga - European Capital of Culture 2014 candidate

DimensionPrioritiesInfrastructure of the CityHow accessible is Riga on a local, national and internationallevel?information provision and service quality management, using the“BalticLines” system.Rail trafficD1: The development of an educated, proficient societythat respects culture.P1: Access to culture for all Riga inhabitants.P2: The role of education and lifelong learning in promoting thecreation of new work and employment.P3: The role of culture in bringing together individuals andcommunities.D2: Creative diversity. P1: Support and investment for structures (institutions, industries,organisations) that ensure cultural and artistic processes,absorb and multiply the creative potential of Riga.P2: Support and investment in the creation of ‘cultural quarters’that are inexhaustible sources for the creation of new work andeconomic potential.D3: Creation of a quality cultural environment. P1: A balanced distribution of culture throughout the capital city,not just a limited number of specific locations.P2: Exploration and maximisation of the potential of public placesin the city.P3: Attraction of investment and new creative potential (inc. humanresources) to the city’s cultural institutions.D4: Targeted and effective planning. P1: A flexible model of cultural financing that corresponds withRiga’s changeable demography, is able to react to city developmentand is coordinated with the city’s common budgetsections.P2: Maximum economic gain from the cultural industries concentratedin the capital and creative potential.P3: Riga as an international cultural centre and destination pointfor cultural tourism.Appendix – City cultural development dimensions included in “Riga’s cultural strategy 2008–2025”Air trafficLatvia has several airports the biggest of which is the InternationalAirport “Riga”. The towns of Liepāja, Venstpils and Daugavpilshave smaller airports.Airport “Riga” is ten kilometres from the city centre. Airport connectionsare provided by buses, mini-buses and taxis.The trip by taxi from Riga Airport to the city centre takes about 15minutes.International Airport “Riga” is the largest international air trafficnetwork in the Baltics and it continues to develop.In 2007, airport “Riga” served 3.16 million passengers, whichis 26.7 % more than in 2006. The airports of Tallinn and Vilniusserved 1.7 million passengers each in 2007, therefore last yearairport “Riga” served 92 % of the total of passengers served byTallinn and Vilnius.At the moment it is possible to fly to 60 direct destinations fromRiga airport.18 airline companies currently operate in airport “Riga”.Latvia’s national airline “AirBaltic” offers flights to all majorEuropean cities, as well as to the Far East and the USA.“AirBaltic” also has local flights from Riga to Liepāja andVentspils.Roads and bus trafficLatvia has a well developed road network, whose connectionswith neighbouring countries ensure road transportation in any direction.Financing in the road sector is growing every year and, asa result, the quality of the roads has visibly improved.Regular bus transport movement is ensured between Riga andLatvia’s largest towns. Travel from Riga to Liepāja, the furthesttown to the west of the country and Daugavpils, the town furthesteast, takes about three and a half hours.It is possible to travel by bus from Riga to Europe’s largest cities.These routes are provided by the passenger bus companies“Eurolines” and “Ecolines”.Riga International Bus Station is the largest passenger bus servicepoint in the Baltics. The joint-stock company “Riga InternationalBus Station” has had a quality management system in placefor over three years, which is successfully maintained and developed.“Riga International Bus Station” is a part of the Europeanpassenger bus network, ensuring a broad variety of services,Regular passenger rail traffic between Latvia’s largest towns andwithin the Riga region is ensured.There are also several international routes, for example, from Rigato Vilnius, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Truskavec, and Simferopol.Ferry trafficRegular ferry traffic from the ports of Riga and Ventspils is available,travelling to Swedish and German towns.Public transportRegular public transport movement is ensured in Riga and Latvia’slargest towns (buses, trolley-buses, trams, mini-buses).How many tourists can Riga provide with accommodation?Central statistical bureau data, 2007Type ofNumber of establishments Number of bedsestablishment (end of the year) (end of the year)Total 99 11329Hotels 72 9432Guest houses 13 447Motels 2 61Tourism andrecreation centres 1 12Youth hostels 10 1157Camp-sites 1 220Number of establishments Number of beds(end of the year) (end of the year)Total 72 9432***** 4 892**** 9 3036*** 28 2659** 1 60* 4 438none 26 2347176 177