CREATING TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN LATVIA.

Abstract

Nowadays, being aware of the special ecological relations, environmental protection policies are relevant in the world and especially in Europe where the European Green Deal is in place. The goal of the tourism development policy of Latvia until 2027 emphasizes the sustainable development of tourism, with a legal framework being designed for environment-friendly kinds of tourism. Creating travel destinations in the context of environmental protection involves the principles of sustainable tourism in relation to the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism, as well as learning by living in an area that has been disturbed and harmed by past exploitation. There are many specially protected natural areas in Latvia, and their number will increase in 2024. It is an opportunity to consider promoting environment-friendly travel. However, there should be a better-structured legal framework for the use of natural resources. The rural areas of Latvia have resources for creating natural, ecological and rural tourism destinations. The aim of the present research is to analyse the creation of environment-friendly travel destinations in rural areas in Latvia. To identify problems and solutions to achieving the goal, sociological research methods have been integrated by surveying the stakeholders involved in tourism, as well as document analysis was employed.