The Saeima has adopted and the President promulgated the following laws: the law of tourism (I) chapter. General provisions article 1. The terms used in the law, the law is applied in the following terms: 1) active tour in SMS-tourism, in which the tourist all the necessary operations are the same;
2) natural Tourism-tourism, which aims to explore nature, see the characteristic landscapes, habitats, observe the flora and fauna in natural conditions, as well as the education of nature protection issues;
3) Guide: natural person who performs paid work, accompanying the individual tourists or tourist groups and providing it with information;
4) cultural tourism-tourism types, of which the main objective is to get to the heritage and cultural landmarks;
5) resort with natural healing products (mineral water, curative mud URu.tml.), kūrortiestād and tourist infrastructure of the area;
6 recreational tourism — tourism), the aim of which is to restore the people's physical and mental potential of rational using of natural and artificial recreation and recovery resources;
7) sport tourism-race individual active tourism skills better or faster, as well as the specific difficulties of the race categories tourist route;
8) International Tourism-tourism of aliens in the territory of Latvia (tourism exports) or the Latvian population tourism abroad (tourist service imports);
9) tourism-people activities related to travel and stay outside their permanent place of residence of the leisure activities, business transactions or other purposes for a period not exceeding one year;
10) tourist — physical person who travel outside their permanent place of residence not exceeding one year, staying in public or in private accommodation for not less than one night and the visited site does not perform paid work;
11) travel agency-tourist company (the company), which performs the functions of intermediaries between tourists and tourism operators and other service providers;
12) tourist infrastructure, the tourism industry and related sectors (transport, marketing, communication, cultural, health URu.tml.) service which provides the tourism industry;
13) tourism industry, economic sector, which is responsible for the preparation and service of tourism;
14) tour operator, tourism company (the company) to develop and sell complex travel services;
15) tourism service — purposeful activity of tourist interests and needs;
16) tourism resources — natural and man-made factors and events that attract tourists to the emotional, mental, physical and therapeutic interest;
17) domestic tourism — tourism population in Latvia.
 
2. article. The purpose of the Act, the Act is intended to create the legal basis for the development of the tourism sector in Latvia, determining the order in which public administrations, local authorities and tourism enterprises (companies) operating in the field of tourism, and to protect the interests of tourists.
 
3. article. N the tasks for ozar of Tourism tourism industry the main tasks are: 1 to provide for free tourism) and equal opportunities, to raise its economic efficiency and creating new jobs;
2 integration of Latvia) promote international tourism;
3) promote local tourism development and tourism services exports;
4 to promote the cultural and natural) heritage conservation and rational use, as well as providing cultural and natural tourism development;
5) to promote the resort the conservation and rational exploitation of resources, as well as to provide recreational tourism development;
6) increase in tourism enterprises (companies);
7) to promote relief for pensioners, the disabled, youth and children for tourism;
8) providing comprehensive and accurate information on the tourism resources and tourism services;
9) to promote tourism enterprises (companies) and the quality of the services provided in the field of tourism workers ' skills;
10) to ensure the harmonious development of tourism in accordance with the nature protection so that tourism is not faced with a conflict with nature protection.
Chapter II. Tourism policy article 4. Tourism policy objective (1) a national consists of tourism policies so as to ensure the rational exploitation of the tourism resources and protection and, in particular, promote local and international tourism.
(2) the implementation of tourism policy is developed and long-term tourism complex development national program that contains a set of measures to the tourism industry development in the medium or long term.
 
5. article. National tourism policy implementation in the tourism development of national, social, economic, cultural and regional development strategy used: 1), stable and long-term development of tourism promotion tax policies;
2) national financial and credit policy;
3) domestic and foreign investment;
4) local and international tourism development programmes and projects;
5) international agreements on cooperation in the field of tourism;
6) nurturing tourist visa and border crossing procedures.
 
6. article. Competence of the Government in tourism development (1) tourism development in national policies of environmental protection and regional development Ministry and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
(2) the protection of the environment and regional development Ministry's main tasks in the field of tourism are: 1) to develop a national tourism development programme and to monitor its realization;
2) to develop draft laws and legislative acts;
3) represent the national interest in the tourism sector;
4) plan features a tourist information center and activities;
5) create a Latvian tourist information database and ensure its funding;
6) coordinate regional tourist development program and the development of international projects;
7) sa ready and implement international agreements on cooperation in the field of tourism.
(3) the tourism development for the implementation of the national policy of environmental protection and regional development Ministry under the supervision of the public authorities: the Latvian tourism development agency.
(4) the Latvian tourism development agency Statute approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
 
7. article. The Latvian tourism development agency's competence in the Latvian Tourism Development Agency: 1) promotes tourism abroad in Latvia;
2) organised by the Latvian tourism companies (companies) and the Organization of participation in international fairs;
3) attract private and non-governmental organizations financial resources for the development of tourism;
4) create and maintain a Latvian tourist information database;
5) form a t ūrism information office in Latvia and abroad;
6), on the local and international tourism market research;
7) recorded a tourism company (the company) to create the database in the Cabinet.
 
8. article. The competence of the municipal tourism authorities in the tourism sector: 1) draw up development plans and planning, determining the development perspective of tourism therein;
2) in accordance with the development plan and planning provides resources and measures for development of tourism, as well as its tourism promotion of the territory;
3) provide tourist attractions and opportunities to use them for tourism purposes;
4) participate in regional tourist information centre in the establishment and financing;
5) promotes the kultūrizglītojoš work in the field of tourism and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
 
9. article. Latvian tourism Advisory Board (1) the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia established the tourism Advisory Council as a collegiate consultative and coordinating body, which includes the implementation of tourism policy, the Ministry of local government, the tourism company (companies) and public organizations representatives.
(2) the Latvian tourism Advisory Council by-laws approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
(3) the Latvian tourism Advisory Council action aims to promote the tourism policy of the participating ministries, local governments, travel companies (companies) and social organizations to promote cooperation in tourism development, facilitate integration of the tourism sector in the country's socio-economic development process and defend the tourism company (the company).
 
10. article. Tourism Fund (1) to create the tourism industry more financial security, you can create a tourism Fund.
(2) the holder of the tourism Fund is a Latvian tourism development agency.
(3) the procedure for the use of tourism Fund is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Chapter III. Business tourism industry article 11. Company (company) activity in the tourism sector (1) tourist company (the company) is in the register of enterprises registered company (company), whose aim is a single or complex tourist services to tourists.
(2) the tourism companies (companies) by activity are broken down as follows: 1) the tourism operator;
2) travel agency;
3) package tourism company (the company).

(3) a complex tourist services have prepared at least two combination of tourism services, if it sold or offered on the common price and covers a period of more than twenty-four hours or includes overnight accommodation.
(4) preparation of complex tourist service of order is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers.
 
12. article. Tourism company (the company) duties and responsibilities (1) tourist company (the company's) responsibility, providing complex tourist services are: 1) provide comprehensive tourist, accurate and unambiguous written information on package tour services, passport and visa, medical clearances, as well as for the contact to which the tourist, if necessary, you can turn to for help;
2) to conclude a written contract with the tourist, showing: (a) the types of services provided), b) services order, c) payment and arrangements to be made for the services of s, d) compensation and the order in which the eligible losses incurred in the provision of services, e) liability for contractual obligations.
(2) the tourism company (company) is civilly liable for damage incurred by the tourism tourist company (the company).
13. article. Hostel hostel conformity assessment conformity assessment of mandatory requirements and procedures established by the Cabinet of Ministers.
14. article. Tourist information centres tourist information centre informed of the tourism services and tourist assistance services.
15. article. Tour operation (1) in the territory of Latvia are entitled to act in Latvia only certified guides.
(2) the tour guide certification is carried out by the Cabinet of Ministers.
16. article. The tourists paid in cash security guarantee (1) tour operators and package tourism enterprises (companies) that are sold to residents of Latvia complex travel services: travel to foreign countries, does not necessarily need the tourists secured cash security guarantee.
(2) the Tourists secured cash security guarantee for tour operators and package tour company (the company) in the event of insolvency provide: 1) default or partial non-performance resulting from damages for tourists;
2) return of tourists in his home country.
(3) the Tourists secured cash security guarantee are: 1) the insurance or bank guarantee) 2.
(4) cash security deposit order is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Chapter IV. Tourist protection and security article 17. The safety of tourists (1) is entitled to the Tourists from a tourist company (the company) to get information in any matter related to his trip.
(2) the tourism company (the company) is obliged: 1) on the basis of information provided by the national authorities, to inform tourists about the security situation, to which tourists wish to travel;
2) selling complex tourist services, to offer tourists a medical or other kinds of travel related insurance;
3) provide parents, guardian or guardian with information that will enable them to stay in touch with people travelling and for which they are responsible.
(3) For the safety of the tourists and special safety requirements for active tourism and sports tourism activities are responsible for organising the measures concerned.
(4) Camper is responsible for this Act and other legislation, as well as the performance of those obligations that are designed with the tourist company (companies) in the contract concluded.
 
18. article. International cooperation in tourist protection and security (1) Latvia cooperates with other countries so that, if necessary, ensure: 1) tourist arrival quickly home, where he suffered an accident or against him or his property facing the unlawful activity;
2) kidnapped and later found in the property into the country of origin;
3) emergency medical aid;
4) that the disposal of the country quickly are passed all the necessary information about the State of health of the victim and the circumstances in which happened against the tourists facing an unlawful act;
5) tourists in the event of the death of his body into the home country.
(2) the Latvian tourist protection in foreign countries implementing the Latvian diplomatic and consular representations abroad.
The law shall enter into force on 1 January 1999, but its article 16 — 1 January 2000.
The law adopted in 1998 the Parliament on September 17.
 
The President g. Ulmanis in Riga in 1998, 7 October