LITHUANIA TOURISM ADMINISTRATIVE AND TERRITORIAL ORGANISATION

At the national level the main organization for tourism policy in Lithuania is the Ministry of Economy. The Tourism Policy Division of the Ministry is responsible for:

• Tourism policy-making;
• Tourism planning;
• International cooperation;
• Planning of EU support

Under the Ministry of Economy, the State Department of Tourism which is responsible for:

• Implementation of Tourism policy;
• Targeted tourism marketing;
• Tourism market supervision;
• Implementation of EU projects.

 The advisory body of the Ministry ( the Tourism Council) consists of tourism related ministries, tourism business associations.

At local level tourism is covered by municipalities and Local Tourism Information Centers.

There are 3 main tourism business organizations in Lithuania:

1. Chamber for Tourism of the Republic of Lithuania represents 9 main tourism business associations:

• Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association represents the hospitality sector and unites more than 300 members. The association protects the rights and interests of members in discussions with government and management institutions;
• Lithuanian Countryside Tourism Association, unites 390 members and co-ordinates the activities of members in developing rural tourism;
•  Lithuanian Health Resorts Association, unites 8 members, promotes health tourism in the country;
• National Tourism Business Association, unites 6 members and promotes inbound tourism;
• Lithuanian Camps Association, unites 23 members and promotes camping tourism;
• Lithuanian Castles and Manors Association, unites 32 members and promotes responsible tourism and national heritage;
• Lithuanian Private Healthcare Establishment Association, unites 100 members and promotes the services of the Private Healthcare Establishments;
• National SPA Association, unites 15 members and promotes SPA treatment.
• Lithuanian Golf Federation, unites 9 members and promotes golf tourism.

2. Lithuanian Tourism Association (LTA), represents Lithuanian tour operators and agencies (53 members);

3. Lithuanian Medical Tourism Association “Medical Lithuania“, represents Lithuanian medical establishments (13 members).