VHB ZONE PROJECT

Development of Baltic Tourist Network in "Via Hanseatica Development Zone"

Promotes development of the important trans-national transport corridor "Via Hanseatica". Its route includes Lübeck – Rostock – Szczecin – Gdansk – Kaliningrad – Riga - Tartu – St. Petersburg and connects the Eastern Baltic Sea Region with the core-region of the EU.

The activities of the project are centered to support development of the northen part of the corridor - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. There is still lack of common understanding about VH corridor development possibilities as a basis for regional and socio-economical development and as connection link between Baltic states and "heart" of EU. Absence of common understanding is caused by poor experience of interregional cooperation.

The Via Hanseatica region in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania lacks economic and cultural integration and dynamics due to low-quality transport links, borders between states, few cross-border activities, unbalanced regional development, dominance of traditional economic structures, and historically low developed co-operation. Growth potentials expected from EU accession must be managed with much bigger attention.

The project has taken sustainable development of three Baltic states as a basis for development of tourism products' network to achieve project's goal - strengthen co-operation of Baltic States in regional development and development of VH corridor in Baltic’s. Joint development of tourism products network gives strong impact to other economic sectors of the region.

The project will prepare development measures and initiate common action across regions and national borders. This will help to improve public-private partnership and business environment in harmony with rich natural, cultural and historical values. The project relies strongly on regional and local initiative.

To achieve planned results actions of the project have divided into following themes:

• To estimate common potential of Via Hanseatica corridor in the context of regional development and international cooperation. Potential of VH is considered as a basis for regional development,

• Preparing activities and carrying out basic studies (Creating common understanding about VH future development and cooperation platform based on it),
• Elaborating common concept of Via Hanseatica and activating cooperation network,
• Creating common understanding and platform of marketing (joint marketing),
• To prepare ground for investments of tourism products network ant to estimate influence of investments to regional development and other sectors of economy,
• Development of tourist products.

Project part-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) within the BSR INTERREG B NP programme.

VHB Zone project results as of mid 2007

Background studies:

• Historical-cultural research, situation analysis on assets and values, market research completed with some delay. Basic research has provided clear understanding of VHB present situation and future development possibilities.

• Results disseminated to wider public (9 articles in newspapers, 2 news broadcast in Estonian National Television, newsletters 4000)

Cooperation:

• Trip to Kings Road carried out, experiences used for improving implementation of VHB Zone project and development of VHB Development Zone

• VH common concept selected “VIA HANSEATICA: Crossroad for Baltic Nature and Culture”
• Cooperation modalities drafted

Joint marketing:

• Promotional events integrated with substantive conferences and collection of comparable data have resulted in creating for joint VHB product. (more than 500 persons have been participating conferences and cooperation seminars carried out within the project, number of queried on the phone and emails can be estimated to 700, not including partner regular mailing)

• VH logo designed and approved by partners, guidelines prepared. Logo patented to ensure efficient use of VH visual identity among VH stakeholders.
• www.viahanseatica.info registered to be used form 2007 as VH tourism portal
• VH strategic development plan 2007-2010 and Marketing Plan 2007-2010

 Preparing for investments:

• Data collected on the framework of the project provides solid base for attracting investments to VHB Zone ensuring integrated regional development and joint actions in future planning (more than 1300 objects and services evaluated and rated including assignment of potential development index)
• Common decision on interactive tourism map made and general substance agreed.
• 54 objects for support through preparation of technical documentation selected, more than 90% having follow-up investments planned.
• Preliminary list of places for sign and info-boards prepared for negotiations with Road Administrations. Common look of info-board agreed to ensure wider dissemination of joint VHB Zone among tourists.   

Trainings:

• Through wide dissemination of newsletter (and studies resulting in review of newsletter by entrepreneurs) entrepreneur’s knowledge of VHB has improved extensively (about 200 newsletters distributed to entrepreneurs).
• VHB tourism entrepreneurs view on training need obtained
• VHB tourism entrepreneurs training structure and programme ready to be used simultaneously in Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian trainings.
• More than 200 entrepreneurs in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania interested in VH joint development and marketing.