The Internet has become an integral part of life in modern society. It is no longer surprising to see that various areas of business are moving to an online platform, creating profiles of artists and other public figures on social media. It is also not surprising that Lithuanian tourist centres too have adapted to the desire of tourists to get some prior information about a particular part of Lithuania or to plan their routes. Information that not long ago would have been found in a leaflet or on a noticeboard at the local tourist centre when you arrived is now available as soon as you open up your web browser. Images and descriptions on websites can be a good alternative to live communication. They can disseminate information more widely, not only about the best-known tourist attractions in Lithuania, but also about new and little-known sites.
The efficient dissemination of advertising
Many Internet users probably follow the social media posts of famous people, which often inspire them to seek out new things and try out new adventures. Everyone who likes to travel, even if just a little, has thought of visiting a town in Lithuania after seeing an interesting new story about it. That is why Beata Nicholson, the journalist, author of cookery books and presenter of cookery programmes, thanked Klaipėda Tourist Information Centre on her Instagram account some time ago, for she was was glad to get some help when planning her family holiday. ‘Tourist information centres and the people who work in them are the best sources of information and advice on choosing places to visit and routes to take when travelling,’ the famous television presenter wrote.
According to Rasa Jasinevičienė, the director of Utena Tourism Information Centre, ‘The main advantage of a website is for presenting new information. It is like the official face of an area. Quality photographs and the various interactive games offered on sites provide an opportunity to get an all-round view of places. Having seen them, visitors want to find out more, and they visit the place in real life.’ So it is worth visiting the website of the tourist information centre of the district you have chosen to go to, in order to find information about tourist attractions and good walks in the area. If you want to make the best of your travel and leisure time, it is worth leaving it to the staff in the local tourist information centre, who know the area well and can put together a route that meets your expectations.
Information on the internet, or a real conversation?
Today, when not only Lithuania but also the whole world is being brought to a standstill by the Covid-19 pandemic, a great opportunity has opened up to try out domestic tourism, and in that way to get to know more about Lithuania’s towns and cities. That is why online tourism sites are a great way to put together a travel plan, while avoiding unnecessary contact. You can find all the information you need on these pages, about accommodation, where to eat, what to see, what educational activities to try out, and what local events you can take part in. However, does finding information in this way always make up for live communication? According to Simonas Rudaminas, the author of the Lithuanian tourist news portal We love Lithuania, ‘Tourism sites are usually of an informative nature, but the best and most original ideas for tourism and leisure come from tourist information centre staff, and this special information can only be obtained by visiting a tourist information centre.’
The websites of the tourist information centres do an important job, for they are the traveller’s first glance at the chosen area when devising a route. Most importantly, they can arouse a visitor’s interest in learning more about the place they plan to go to. However, only a local tourism expert, who lives in the area and is steeped in its history and traditions, can reveal its true face and tell the best stories.
The article has been prepared in the framework of the project “Innovative LTICA” funded by the Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology.
