WATER SPRINGS AS A RESOURCE FOR NATURE TOURISM IN LATVIA: A TOURIST PERSPECTIVE

Authors

  • Jānis Bikse PhD student at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Lecturer at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Research Assistant at HESPI (Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research), Valmiera.
  • Mahender Reddy Gavinolla Guest Lecturer at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera, Latvia & Assistant Professor at National Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Management

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2021vol1.6614

Keywords:

Water Spring Tourism, Sacred Water, Tourist Motivation, Latvia

Abstract

Water springs are considered as one of the important natural resource for tourism due to its socio-economic, cultural, health and religious benefits. Tourists are motivated to visit the water springs due to various reasons like sacredness, health benefits, education and cultural enrichment.  Latvia is blessed with several water springs, which are potential attractions for the sacred water or holy water tourism. There are several studies conducted on various aspects of water springs in general. However, the research in the context of tourism, particularly motivations and interest of tourist is very scant. In this regard, aim of the paper is to know the motivations and potential benefits of the water spring tourism to tourist in Latvia. Initially authors reviewed existing literature to know the state of the spring tourism. Semi structured interviews and online-survey method to obtain visitors responses.  Interviews were held with the visitor, covering various aspects like motivations and benefits of water spring tourism. To the best of the author’s knowledge, very few studies conducted on spring tourism in Latvia, to provide a detailed overview on tourist motivations and potential benefits of visiting water spring tourism. Overall, the study results provide the basis for understanding the most frequently visited water spring resources by the tourists in Latvia. Nature appreciation, natural setting followed by mineral and health benefits are the major reasons to visit the water springs. Further, it allows decision makers to incorporate tourist opinion and their suggestions in the sustainable planning, promotion and management of water springs as tourist destinations in Latvia.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Jānis Bikse, PhD student at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Lecturer at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Research Assistant at HESPI (Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research), Valmiera.
    Janis Bikse is PhD student at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Lecturer at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Research Assistant at HESPI (Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research), Valmiera. Participated in research on air pollution in the city of Riga and the mobility of rural areas. He is the co-author of several articles on these topics. Currently, the research topic is the impact of historical heritage on the modern economy. (janis.bikse@va.lv) + 371 29203485
  • Mahender Reddy Gavinolla, Guest Lecturer at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera, Latvia & Assistant Professor at National Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Management
    Gavinolla Mahender Reddy is Guest Lecturer at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera, Latvia & Assistant Professor at National Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Management. His area of research and publications includes responsible and sustainable tourism, and published several papers in Sage, Routledge and Emerald. (mahendergavinolla@gmail.com) cont. + 919666851851; ORCID: 0000-0002-3476-3132

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Published

2021-06-16

How to Cite

[1]
J. Bikse and M. R. Gavinolla, “WATER SPRINGS AS A RESOURCE FOR NATURE TOURISM IN LATVIA: A TOURIST PERSPECTIVE”, ETR, vol. 1, pp. 30–37, Jun. 2021, doi: 10.17770/etr2021vol1.6614.