Latvia and Liepāja highlighted as “Destination of the Year” at “TravelMatch” Oslo
On Thursday, 8 January, the Liepāja Region Tourism Information Office (Liepāja Travel), in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), participated in “TravelMatch” in Oslo—the largest tourism networking event in Norway. This year’s event brought together 85 leading Norwegian tour operators, travel planners, and media representatives.
Latvia was recognised as the “Destination of the Year” for Norwegian travellers, highlighting the country’s appeal as a diverse, accessible, and authentic travel destination. Pre-scheduled meetings with Norwegian tour operators focused on cooperation opportunities, travel trends, and Latvia’s potential in the Norwegian market.
Special attention was given to Liepāja as the European Capital of Culture 2027, showcasing its vibrant cultural life, creative environment, musical traditions, and unique coastal character. Visitors were invited to explore not only the city, but also the surrounding region, including Kurzeme’s landscapes, local flavours, and authentic experiences.
Interest in Latvia continues to grow, as travellers increasingly seek nearby, authentic destinations beyond Europe’s major cities. Liepāja stands out as a place where the sea meets culture, and travel becomes a story worth experiencing firsthand.
We extend our sincere thanks to Liepāja Travel for their collaboration in promoting Liepāja 2027 and Latvia internationally and laying the foundation for new, inspiring travel experiences.
192 “Liepāja 2027” programme events implemented in 2025
In 2025, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation implemented its most extensive and diversified programme of activities to date as part of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027, developed under the overarching theme of “(un)rest”. Over the course of the year, a total of 192 cultural, cultural education and community-driven participation events were delivered across Liepāja, Kuldīga and the South Kurzeme region. On average, this meant that a unique event took place every other day in the city of the regions.
11 International Contemporary Art Events to be Added to the Liepāja 2027 Programme
The Liepāja 2027 Foundation has concluded its co-financing competition for international contemporary and multi genre art events, which was announced in June 2025. As a result of the competition, 11 projects with a total value of EUR 640,000 will be supported and implemented across Liepāja, South Kurzeme and the Kuldīga regions in 2027.