Druskininkai

Druskininkai is a resort city in the south of Lithuania, 60 km. south of Alytus. It is in Alytus county, and is in the center of Druskininkai Municipality. Open year-round, it is the oldest (since 1794), and largest resort in Lithuania and is famous for its active mud baths, spa procedures, healing waters, and water parks. Druskininkai Old Town is a monument of urban design.

The city is also known for being the summer home of the famous Lithuanian artist and composer M. K. Ciurlionis, and you can visit a memorial museum named in his honor.

The town has many hotels, 8 sanatoriums, "SPA Vilnius", a new 4-star camping, guesthouses and hostels, 11 country tourism locations, the recreational center "Vortex", a sports center and more. A Theater Festival is held in Druskininkai in the summer. There are also water parks which attract over 400 thousand visitors per year.

Over the past three years, the flow of tourists significantly increased (both Lithuanian and foreign tourists). The most frequent visitors - Byelorussians, Russians, Germans and Polish. Since 2008, the number of tourists has reached 1.5 million. The majority of tourists come for therapeutic and spa procedures.

Economic Environment and Key Investment Direction

City-resort exclusivity, and the growing "healing" tourism encourage investments. The city continues to grow, and there are still many plans that new investments can help bring to life. These include indoor mountain ski slopes, an airport, fitness center, more spa centers, etc.

One of these sites, the former "Nemunas" sanatorium complex, situated on 3.97 hectares, is being considered for major development, including a new hotel, conference, spa center, restaurants, and entertainment complex.

More than 10% of the population of Druskininkai is employed in healthcare institutions. They provide the highest level professional service, which is comparable to Western European resorts.

From 2008, both public and private investments in Druskininkai significantly increased annually, and reached about 200 million. EUR. In 2010 alone, it is expected to receive about 53.6 million. EUR..  Transportation infrastructure improvements, and environmental protection will be the focus. The largest portion of investment will be designated for the indoor mountain skiing slopes, and a new bridge accross the river Nemunas.