Puerto Dreverna: “We have been waiting for a record year, but we are still optimistic”

It was quiet and empty here during the quarantine. The managers do not let anything into the cabins or the port. Since May 1, the port of Dreverna has reopened its doors. There is no shortage of tourists here. In the afternoon, a cup of coffee and a climb to the Dreverna observation tower, which offers views of the lagoon, and what began to become the eager region of Pomerania throughout the weekend.

Liudmila Juknienė, Head of Tourism for Hortivita, which manages the port of Dreverna 15 minutes He said he was optimistic about the start of the tourist season.

“It just came to our attention then. It was good all the time. We already had a lot of employment after the new year for June, July. Until now, in July and August, there were almost no cancellations from foreigners or from Lithuania, only isolated cases. We suggest everyone change the date when in doubt. We have many guests from Latvia – the woman said. – We closed in April. We started working on May 1. The year may not be what we expected, but we expected a record, because only in May, they were awesome on order, but we had to cancel the opening ceremony, which was already famous. A Jordan concert, a children’s campus was scheduled. We move on to the next year. We are gradually working, opening services. I think the season It will be good. Local tourism will recover. “

The year may not be what we expected, but we were expecting a record, because only in May, they were impressive by orders.

The woman says she has heard fears from some tourism officials that the season will be bad. As a result, Nerings is concerned about that, which generally receives many tourists from Germany in the summer.

“We have a large order from a large German company that brings workers to Pomerania. We offered to cancel, but they refused. Still broadcasting the latest news that air tickets have not been canceled. We will see if it arrives. All its events are planned outdoors, some in Nida. I would say that they calm us more than we calm them. There were orders that required a refund, but we are optimistic about the summer. Places are filling up, local tourism is recovering. Our main client were Lithuanians, families, somehow we stayed in that direction. In January, we opened a spa complex, trying to create activities that would be a counterbalance to bad weather, “said the manager.

In 2017, 12 holiday homes were opened in the port of Dreverna, a year later their number increased to 18, last year a new recreational area was developed outside, behind the embankment, which was drained. There are also tennis courts, a heated pool, beach courts, and other infrastructure. Four more rest houses will soon open their doors.

“Currently we have 30 cabins, we are finishing four. They are all the same, the eight places,” said L. Juknienė.

Beloved land of tourists

In the Dreverna region, tourists are happy to visit other places of interest. According to the Klaipėda district tourist information website, Dreverna is a former fishing village mentioned since 1253 and located on the banks of the Curonian Lagoon at the mouth of the Dreverna River. For almost 300 years, there was a large fish market on the Dreverna – Strykis River, which attracted many fishermen and merchants.

The name of the Dreverna fishermen was made famous by the Curonian Spit shipbuilder Jonas Gižas. Now this honorable man rests on the legendary Dreverna Cemetery Hill, and at J. Gizas Ethnographic Farm you can familiarize yourself with shipbuilding and the traditions of fishermen. Dreverna has preserved the old structure of the coastal fishing village.

Along the Drevern runs the King Wilhelm Canal, where the Nemunas ships entered Klaipeda, bypassing the dangerous Curonian Lagoon. The channel length is 24m, the width is about 30m. 1863-1873 It was excavated by locals, and French prisoners of war also excavated it in recent years to speed up excavation work. A monument was built for them in Klaipeda, on the way to the international ferry.

Today, Dreverna remains attractive to locals and visitors alike, as a unique area surrounded by water, where the recreation and tourism business is becoming increasingly popular. The historical past and the modern way of life, which has taken over the traditions of the land of the fishermen, are perfectly combined here. You can see the surroundings of Dreverna, the lagoon and the Nagliai Nature Reserve from the 15-meter-high observation tower like the giants once looked here, ”says the website.