Estimating the Development of the Latvian - Estonian - Russian Transboundary Tourism and Recreation Region

Abstract

In 2004, the Pskov - Livonia Euroregion was established across the borders of Estonia, Latvia and Russia (the Pskov region). Tourism became a cooperation priority in the Euroregion. This necessitated research on the local tourism and recreation areas. This study aims to estimate the development prospects of transboundary microregions which have been identified by the authors within the Latvian-Estonian-Russian tourism and recreation mesoregion. The authors employ ten additional criteria proposed in the general conception of transboundary tourism and recreation regions. The article identifies five microregions: Pskov-Pechory- Tartu and Pskov-Izborsk-Cesis (first level), Pytalovo-Rezekne (second level), and Izborsk- Pechory district- Setomaa and Lake Chudskoe area (third level). The authors classify the microregions according to their level of development. The development of the Izborsk-Pechory district-Setomaa microregion is defined as ‘above average’, that of Pskov-Pechory-Tartu as ‘average’, and that of Pskov-Izborsk-Cesis as ‘below average’, and finally, the development of Pytalovo-Rezekne microregion is described as ‘poor’. The Lake Chudskoe area microregion is classified as an ‘emerging’ one. The overall level of development of transboundary tourism and recreation microregions is assessed as ‘below average’. The results of the study can be used in preparing recommendations for the development of transboundary microregions within the Latvian-Estonian-Russian tourism and recreation mesoregion.