VIDEO: Latvia’s tourism industry awards «Person of the Year in Tourism» have been presented for the 21st time

Marta Mackeviča | 2026.02.06

Today, on 6 February 2026, Latvia’s tourism industry awards “Person of the Year in Tourism 2025” were presented for the 21st time. This year, the award in the category “For Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Hospitality” was presented to entrepreneur Andris Kreislers, who has been organising the Christmas market at Dome Square for more than 20 years.

After a longer break, the category “Entrepreneur / Manager in the Regions” also returned this year. The award was presented to Ilze Stabulniece, owner of the horse farm Klajumi. Other nominees in this category included Maija Atvara, manager of the wellness complex Via Vitalité, Karina Stivriņa, owner of the guesthouse Karina Home, and Artis Rozītis, co-owner of the restaurant Bangert’s as well as owner of Hotel Sīmanis and the Stender’s Pica restaurant chain. In total, awards were presented in six categories, and the ceremony took place during the opening of the international tourism exhibition Balttour 2026.

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In the category “Entrepreneur / Manager in the Accommodation Business”, the award was presented to Dace Šķēle, Sales and Marketing Manager of Hotel Jūrmala SPA. Other nominees included Mārīte Vaisūna, Director of A22 Hotel, and Māris Alnis, Manager of Grand Poet Hotel. Commenting on the situation in the accommodation sector, Aivars Mackevičs, founder of the award and Director of BalticTravelnews.com, noted that 2025 saw continued recovery and growth in Latvia’s accommodation sector, with an increase in both guest numbers and overnight stays compared to 2024. Foreign tourists remained a significant share of visitors, particularly in Riga and other popular destinations, while seasonal fluctuations and summer occupancy challenges persisted.

Award in the category “Entrepreneur / Manager in the Travel Agency and Tour Operator Business” was presented to Elena Serebrjakova, Head of Nikos Travel. Other nominees included Karina Puzanova-Kļujeva, Head of Coral Travel Latvia, and Liene Čemme, Head of Travel Biiz.

In the category “Tourism Information Centre Manager”, nominees included Toms Treimanis, Head of Valmiera County Tourism Board, Rolands Gradkovskis, Head of the Tourism Division of Augšdaugava County Culture and Tourism Board, and Jeļena Kijaško, Head of the Rēzekne City Tourism Development Centre, who received the award.

The category “Entrepreneur / Manager in the Restaurant Business” saw nominations for Māris Astičs, Manager of restaurant Ferma, Māris Jansons, Co-owner of restaurant Kest, and Kristaps Sīlis, Chef of John Chef’s Hall, who was awarded the prize.

The “Person of the Year in Tourism” award was first presented in 2004 during the Balttour exhibition. Including this year’s winners, a total of 136 awards have been presented to date. The statuette was created by artist Ieva Strazdiņa, and the award’s main supporter is the Latvian Investment and Development Agency.

Traditionally, the award honours outstanding leaders, entrepreneurs, representatives and supporters of the tourism sector who have made a significant contribution to the development, promotion and representation of Latvia’s tourism industry. Nominees may also be responsible and reputable professionals who have become recognised leaders in their field.