Take more care, Latvian PM warns tourists

Latvia’s prime minister Aigars Kalvitis said today that tourists, particularly stag groups, should exercise more caution while in the capital, Riga.

“While travelling to foreign countries one should pay more attention to culture and architecture and not get drunk in bars,” he told the 900 Seconds news programme.

Kalvitis’ response was aimed at a travel advisory on the home page of the British Embassy in Latvia, which warns tourists of various fraudulent schemes that are sprung on unsuspecting tourists.

“Be wary of strangers asking you to buy them a drink in some bars or nightclubs, no matter how attractive the offer. You may get a very expensive drinks tab afterwards,” warns the website.

In recent weeks there has been an increasing number of complaints by British tourists who were given exorbitant bar bills, sometimes for thousands of euro, at the end of the night. Several incidents resulted in fights with security staff.

Kalvitis, however, suggested the tourists should do a better job looking after themselves. “No one is going to protect tourists from drunkenness and getting in trouble,” he said.