Up to now tourism possibilities in Lithuania were not properly evaluated. J.Ignatonis, the director of The Tourism association of Lithuania, says rural tourism is very perspective branch the opportunities of which are not totally realized by countrymen. Though number of examples of an entrepreneurial ingenuity grows.

In Europe, meliorated up to every bush and lawn, people become more and more longing for "natural" nature. This has resulted in occurrence of the whole tourism industry involving rural tourism, ethno-tourism, sports tourism, etc. Finland was the first to evaluate this subtlety in public intentions and mood. In 80-ies it was up-and-rising in the world tourism. Finland entrepreneurs have realized how invaluable their country is, what nature riches it possesses: mighty woods, pure lakes and rivers where one can hook salmon and white fish. Finland entrepreneurs have offered Europeans just what they needed: a hut with the cow on a court yard, a full complex of modern conveniences at the same time - tiled toilets and conditioners inside.

Understanding of what wonderful from the point of view of tourism Lithuania is has arrived here with considerably big lag. And it has not come yet, if more exactly; now it is only at the stage of development. Only three years passed since the rural tourism was identified as sub-branch; then even Association of the rural tourism managed by Regina Sirusene was established. Up to now tourism possibilities in Lithuania were not properly evaluated. That’s why since now nobody was seriously engaged in internal tourism; activity of majority of the firms was mostly aimed at export of the tourists, not at import.

According to the results observed during these several years efforts made in the field of rural tourism were not vain: in 1998 two thousand guests visited country houses, and last year thirty-five thousand guests were received. In the beginning of this season more than 250 country houses that are ready to receive tourists are registered in the register o the association, and there more than 350 ones, which are willing to receive guests, but they are not registered yet. Such results are really encouraging.

In order to receive an official status owners of a country house are to answer appropriate requirements. They have to adjust their hut to one of the four categories available. These categories were called “storks” here (analogically to the “stars”). One “stork” (toilet is outside and no shower) costs 10 – 20 Lt a day; and four “storks” (in such case sauna, boat, sprorts ground and sprorts kit and other luxuries) costs approximately 130 Lt.

According to R.Sirusene both last and this year applications for the registered manors where made even before the beginning of the season. And not only the foreigners are willing to visit rural places, but the dwellers of Lithuania, too. Some of them prefer pure warm lake and good fishing to expensive Palanga with the cold sea.

J.Ignatonis, the director of The Tourism association of Lithuania, says rural tourism is very perspective branch the opportunities of which are not totally realized by countrymen. Though number of examples of an entrepreneurial ingenuity grows. For example, A.Gedvilas, Trakai dweller, entertains his guests with flights by a balloon and with other flying devices. And the mistress of a manor in the region of Plunge area holds a stable with more than 60 horses, riding school and a horse arena.