New destinations, vivid impressions and thousands of travellers: Balttour 2026 ends with success!

In early February, bringing together thousands of travel buffs. Visitors were keen to find out more about tourist attractions in Latvia, explore diverse range of destinations and active leisure options, get good deals on travel abroad and taste culinary treats offered by exhibitors. For three days, the largest Baltic travel industry trade fair spread inspiration, joy of interaction and spirit of new adventures.

Balttour 2026 was attended by 330 companies from 33 countries. Over the course of three days, the fair was visited by 18 300 visitors, including 4 500 travel professionals.
“Latvian tourism sector continues to grow with every year, and also ahead of yesterday’s standards – it follows global trends, while also setting new innovative trajectories. Sector follows innovative approaches to product creation, process streamlining and digital transformation to be able to offer competitive, sustainable and attractive destinations to locals and international travellers,” Viktors Valainis, Minister for the Economy of Latvia, said at the opening of Balttour 2026.
Meanwhile, Ēriks Lingebērziņš, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Latvian Travel Agents and Operators (ALTA), pointed out that direct interaction, instant exchange of ideas and access to comprehensive information, all at once, are the main features of Balttour as a strong business platform and source of inspiration. “Each Balttour gives us something special. This time around it is focused on Olympics, encouraging Olympian mindset of faster, higher, stronger, and what’s even more important the mindset of working together to achieve more, do better and see farther by collaborating,” he told.
The opening of Balttour 2026 trade fair was led by Viesturs Tīle, Chairman ofthe Board of BT1, who congratulated everyone and emphasised the significance of trade fair as the driver of the industry. Opening was also attended by Inese Šīrava, Deputy Director of the Export and Innovation Services Department of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency, Fredis Bikovs, Director ofRiga Investment and Tourism Agency, and Agris Reihmanis, Trade Fair Director of BT1. 

New destinations and inspiring offers

What made this trade fair special was the diversity of travel products presented this year, targeting broad spectrum of travellers, interests and wallet sizes. Leading and some of the most popular Latvian travel agencies like Tez Tour, Travel Biiz, Nikos Travel, Interlux Travel, Alsvets and Estravel Latvia presented new travel packages to anyone who visited the fair. New destinations included China, Peru, Columbia, India, Gambia and other countries. Tropical, exotic white sandy beaches of Philippines and Thailand appealed to those who prefer travel to sunnier locations.
Here is how Elena Serebrjakova, CEO of Nikos Travel, described the importance of participating and attending the fair: “In an ever-changing world, penetrated by artificial intelligence wider and farther that we’ve ever seen, people still crave human interaction. That is why we have been at the Balttour for the past 19 years, since our company was founded.” Direct interaction and reliance are the core values of the trade fair as the place where one meets in person to receive professional advice and find the right travel package.
For the first time ever in the history of the trade fair, one of the best rollercoasters in Europe and the largest adventure park in Poland –Energylandia – was represented at the Balttour with special deals for exciting family vacations and extreme adventures. Visitors were also excited about the rotating house where reality shifts and the whole family can experience unforgettable emotions. Whereas Riga Rise, the Ferris wheel located in Riga, lured visitors into experiencing the Riga city and its landscape from a different angle.

Vacation in the Baltics

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia brought a whole variety of spas and resorts to the Balttour with surprising options from lounging on the beach to healing spring water treatments and wellness procedures. Visitors could find out more about and also buy procedures offered by operators like Hotel Jūrmala Spa, Baltic Beach Hotel & Spa, Eglės sanatorija, Vytautas Mineral SPA and Atostogų parkas – Natura Termo SPA, as well as many other excellent deals. Nature lovers visiting Balttour were offered to explore new hiking trails, viewing platforms and routes, whereas culture connoisseurs could focus on historic manors, castles, palaces and museums. Sensorium, the only interactive entertainment in the dark in the Northern Europe, received a lot of attention from visitors. And not to mention all the genuine culinary experiences! Balttour 2026 brought visitors plenty of culinary tours in the Baltics and taste of best food products from artisan and home producers at the Balttour farm market. 

Main Stage events

In three days Balttour’s Main Stage gave visitors 36 different events put together by exhibitors. Zemgale Tourism Association and singer Igo presented a story about Kiln Music and Arts Centre. Travel Biiz offered crowd an interactive charade game centred on travel. Bloggers behind Four Flavour Travel presented an inspirational story about adventure Four steel pedals, one goal – closer to victory! 1 600k in two weeks: cycling from Riga to Odessa. Jānis and Kārlis talked about challenges, endurance and importance of sharing a company. To give programme an international spin, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Latvia had arranged a performance that included Lion dance, martial arts and Tai Chi demonstrations. There were also various thematic presentations highlighting destinations and experiences, such as the “Ida-Viru, Estonia’s hidden gem”, or “House of Latvian Traditions and Crafts in Jelgava Old Town”, “More than sites to visit: travel to experience India”.

Tourism Professional of the Year

Travelnews.lv, the long-standing and close partner of Balttour, is the media behind Tourism Professional of the Year award, which honours the most notable Latvian travel industry professionals and their contribution in the evolution of the industry. Dace Šķēle from Hotel Jūrmala SPA  won the title of Company/Manager of the Year in Accommodation, while Elena Serebrjakova from Nikos Travel received the award as the Company/Manager of the Year in travel agency and operator category. The title of the Best Manager of the Tourism Information Centre in 2025 went to Jeļena Kijaško and Rēzekne Tourism Information Centre, whereas Kristaps Sīlis and restaurant JOHN Chef’s Hall triumphed in Company/Manager of the Year in Restaurant Business competition. Victory in Travel Industry Company/Manager of the Year in Latvia nomination went to Ilze Stabulniece fromKlajumi/ Horse Ranch, and Andris Kreislers was praised for the most notable contribution to the development of the tourism sector for the Old Town Christmas Market. Awards were presented in the total of six nominations, during a traditional award ceremony that started with Balttour 2004 trade fair.

Professional events

Incoming travel professionals took part in a business matchmaking event at Ķīpsala to deepen the cooperation leading to more active relations and collaboration between industry professionals. Organised by the Association of Latvian Travel Agents and Operators (ALTA) together with airBaltic national carrier, Spanish national travel promotion agency Turespa?a and Latvian Investment and Development Agency, matchmaking event allowed foreign travel operators reach out to Latvian counterparts, discuss new cooperation opportunities and design future travel business arrangements. There were also other professional events at exhibitor stands and conference halls. For example, national carrier airBaltic’s annual Balttour – Connecting You with airBaltic Destinations that introduced new 2026 destinations offered by the airline. And the first day was closed by Balttour 2026 reception for industry professionals where H.E. Manuels Alama Oreness, the  Ambassador of Spain to Latvia, praised the event for its high international profile and role in promoting the sector.

See you at the Balttour 2027

The next – 33rd International Travel Industry Trade Fair/Show Balttour 2027 will take place at the Ķīpsala International Expo Centre on 5-7 February 2027.
Balttour is a trade fair and show organised by Association of Latvian Travel Agents and Operators (ALTA) with support of BT 1 International Expo Company.