Vidzeme Planning Region invites tourism entrepreneurs, guides, tourism professionals, and other interested parties to the training seminar “TOGETHER IN NATURE: How to Implement Accessibility in Nature Tourism.” The seminar will take place on February 25 from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Western Vidzeme Region Customer Centre of JSC “Latvian State Forests” in Valmiermuiža.
When building an inclusive society, an accessible environment and services are essential prerequisites in tourism as well. The aim of the seminar is to provide knowledge on how to make experiences on nature trails and by the water more accessible to people with disabilities, seniors, and families with young children. The fewer the barriers and the more accessible the places are, the more opportunities are available for everyone.
The seminar program has been designed to provide participants with practical recommendations, introduce examples of best practice, and offer the opportunity to hear experience-based stories. Environmental accessibility expert Jurģis Briedis from the association of people with disabilities and their friends “Apeirons” will share recommendations on adapting the physical environment in nature tourism. Aija Neilande, Project Manager at the Kurzeme Planning Region, will present examples of good practice for making water tourism more accessible to people with functional impairments.
Valuable insights will also be shared through practitioners’ experience stories. Māris Olte, owner of “Ērgļu stacija,” will share his experience on how a tourism entrepreneur can ensure accessible recreation by the water for everyone. Traveler Aleksandrs Jevdokimovs, who uses a wheelchair, will speak about his experience with environmental accessibility. Madara Brūvere, Conference Department Manager at the travel agency “Estravel Latvia,” will explain what to consider when planning a hike with small children. Rūta Brakovska, Tourism Work Organizer at the Entrepreneurship and Tourism Department of Smiltene Municipality, will provide insight into family-friendly hikes. Meanwhile, Ervīns Elliņš, author of “Ervīna Video Blogs” and a traveler, will share his experience of how parents’ expectations about hiking in nature trails with young children meet reality.
The seminar will conclude with the quiz “Together Along Trails, Rivers and Lakes” and informal discussions.
Due to high interest and limited places available, registration for the training seminar has been closed.
The event is organized within the framework of Vidzeme Innovation Week 2026 with the support of the Interreg Estonia–Latvia Programme projects “Accessible Hiking Trails” and “Riverways II.”
