provided by Research Papers in Economics
EUROPEAN REGIONAL SCIENCE ASOCIATION 2004 CONGRESS
25-28 August, 2004 Porto, Portugal
CROSS BORDER COOPERATION -PROMOTER OF TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT
Agita S∣ara, Vidzeme University College,
Strelnieku iela 6, Sigulda LV-2150, Latvia
Fax 371 4207229, e mail: [email protected]
Abstract
The paper gives description and analysis of cross border cooperation projects in
tourism field in the three Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Cross border
regions are less developed regions nowadays in the Baltic States because borders with
neighbour countries were closed and many factories were closed in transition period
in 1990. In Soviet period a lot of factories were located on cross border areas.
It is crucial reason to seek new opportunities of economic diversification in cross
border regions. According with European Union (EU) enlargement cross border
regions in the Baltic States in the future development can use opportunity that borders
between countries will be destroyed in within few years. It should be outlined that
after EU enlargement in May, 2004 EU outer border will be Baltic States eastern
border. Cross border regions need to cooperate with each other that gives higher
input in development process.
There are important supports from EU funds: Phare Cross Border cooperation
program, Phare CREDO program and Interreg Initiative from EU. By EU support
funds are implemented cross border projects in tourism sector in Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania. In the paper are analysed projects in tourism field, implemented by EU
support funds till 2003.
The author has given characteristics of realised projects according territorial
development documents and questionnaire of involved persons in these activities.
Results of questionnaire is analysed in the paper.