IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL

Latvia presents some inconveniences, but few real difficulties
for the seasoned business traveler.  Visas are available from the
Latvian embassy in Washington (recommended) or may be obtained
upon arrival at the Riga airport.  A visa to either Estonia or
Lithuania will also be accepted for entry into Latvia.

In Riga, major hotels, most quality restaurants and a growing
number of stores accept credit cards.  Mastercard and Visa are
the most widely accepted; Diners Club and American Express are
also accepted at the De Rome, Eurolink and Metropole hotels and
some restaurants and service stations.  Budget accommodations,
fast-food restaurants, smaller retail establishments and outdoor
markets are on a cash-only basis.  Several commercial banks cash
traveller's checks or provide cash advances against credit cards;
service charges are high.  Latvian currency, the lat, may be
easily bought or sold at numerous currency exchanges.  Outside
Riga, travelers should be prepared to pay cash for all expenses.

Latvia is easily reached by air from Western Europe and, with
connecting flights, from the United States.  During the summer
months, there are direct flights twice a week between New York
and Riga.  Travel by car is generally the fastest and most
convenient mode of transportation within Latvia and between Riga
and the capital of the other two Baltic states.
There are now numerous restaurants in Riga with first-class
cuisine and service.  Outside Riga, food services still tend to
resemble the old Soviet days.  Supply and diversity of imported
food, household supplies, common medications and personal items
are excellent.  Unleaded gas is available in Riga and at a number
of service stations in the countryside; gasoline contamination is
still a problem.

The availability of modern housing is growing, but still quite
limited.  Securing housing up to Western standards entails
leasing and renovating an apartment to suit tenant needs.
Despite recent improvement, hot water may not always be available
through municipal district heating systems; major apartment
renovations should include installation of hot- water heaters.

Street crime is relatively high in Riga; travellers should take
the same precautions they would visiting an unfamiliar urban
center in the U.S.  Although drinking water is chlorinated, it is
not considered entirely safe because the filtering system does
not remove viruses.  Boiling drinking water is recommended.
Imported spring water is available at many stores.  Food
contamination is not considered a serious problem.

Latvian statutory holidays are New Year's Day (January 1), Good
Friday, Constitution Day (May 1), Midsummers (June 23-24),
Proclamation Day (November 18), Christmas (December 25-26), and
New Year's Eve (December 31).

Latvian is the official language; most Latvians speak Russian.
English is widely used in government and business and is the most
popular West European language.  German is also encountered,
particularly in establishments catering to the tourist trade.