Special Weathervane Symbols and “Red Carpet” Route for Lithuania’s Tourism Stars

This tourist season, weathervanes will guide even the pickiest travelers across Lithuania. These symbols represent the winners and nominees of Lithuania’s only national tourism awards, “Tourism Success Stories.” Now, thanks to an initiative by the national tourism promotion agency “Lithuania Travel”, these symbols will physically mark the locations that won this year’s Lithuanian tourism “Oscars” in various regions of the country. A special “Red Carpet” route – a stylized map – will help travelers discover, visit, and support these places.

Explore the “Red Carpet” route HERE.

“It’s a global tradition to mark locations with logos of awards or recognition they have received. This signifies their prestige and uniqueness. From now on, both local and international tourists will recognize the symbols of national tourism awards – the weathervanes – as they travel through Lithuania. We want these symbols to stand for high-quality services, positive experiences, and breakthrough travel discoveries,” says Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation, Agilė Barzdienė.

In Lithuania, the “Red Carpet” winds through tourism stars such as Raudondvaris Manor, named the Tourism Innovation of the Year for its unique AI-created guide; Biržuvėnai Manor, which won the Local Tourists’ Favorite weathervane; “Senatorių pasažas,” recognized as the most successful food service provider; and the new “Molėtai Hotel,” honored as the Best Accommodation Provider of 2024. The weathervane award is their success story.

“For Kaimelis Manor and the entire Kaimelis community, this is a major recognition. Once a social housing building, the manor has become a cultural hub and tourist attraction. This award proves that anyone in Lithuania can make magic happen if they truly want to, no matter where they live!” say Petras Gaidamavičius and Karolis Banys, cultural advocates and owners of Kaimelis Manor, which was awarded Best Tourism Project in Lithuania.

“The Lithuanian ‘travel Oscar’ brings both joy and responsibility. It also adds great value, and we sincerely hope this recognition will draw even more people, both locals and tourists, to Merkinė,” shares Vytaras Radzevičius, founder of Merkinė Factory and Steak Workshop. He and his family were chosen by public vote as the 2024 Travel Discovery Ambassadors. They were among the first to mark their venue and restaurant menu with the award symbols.

According to Neringa Sutkaitytė, local tourism expert at “Lithuania Travel”, the marking of “Tourism Success Stories” winners will continue in the future: 
“This is another way to inspire new ways of traveling around Lithuania, collecting fresh experiences, flavors, and stories. After all, nothing helps us grow and enriches us like travel. So why not create a tradition of visiting Lithuania’s true tourism stars each year?”

The “Tourism Success Stories” awards are held every January during the opening of the international tourism, travel, and leisure fair Adventur. Travel lovers can vote for nominees across nine categories, including Travel Discovery Ambassador of the Year, Best Travel Media Project Promoting Lithuania, Best Tourism Project Abroad, and Best Domestic Tourism Project. Anyone can nominate candidates for the tenth category – the Local Tourists’ Favorite Weathervane. The sites that collect the most votes receive weathervanes, now serving as symbols on the “Red Carpet” route and special award markers.