On November 28, 2019, the most hospitable individuals and places of the year were honored at the Vilnius Town Hall. Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius expressed gratitude on behalf of all Vilnians to those who represent the face, smile, and impression of our country, capital, and people.
During the competition, the most hospitable hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, guides, attractions, and private accommodation hosts (Airbnb) in Vilnius were selected. Visitors to the website could also vote for the most hospitable initiative contributing to the city.
“From the perspective of guests, our city is most pleasantly surprised by friendly local people. Frequent visitors often report that the Lithuanian capital pleasantly surprised them. Recent surveys of tourists visiting Vilnius confirm that they particularly appreciate the city’s residents’ positivity, tolerance, and hospitality. The city satisfaction index reached 83%. Thank you – this is your collective achievement,” said Mayor R. Šimašius.
The competition, which ran from June to September, received significant attention and active participation: 14,263 city guests and residents cast their votes for the most hospitable. After tallying the results, the top 8 most hospitable entities of 2019 in the city were announced:
- Most Hospitable Hotel in Vilnius 2019 – Pacai
- Most Hospitable Restaurant in Vilnius 2019 – Džiaugsmas
- Most Hospitable Private Accommodation Host in Vilnius 2019 – Cozy Apt in the Heart of Old Town
- Most Hospitable Bar in Vilnius 2019 – Apoteka
- Most Hospitable Coffee Spot 2019 – Italala Caffe
- Most Hospitable Attraction in Vilnius 2019 – MO Museum
- Most Hospitable Guide in Vilnius 2019 – Petras Staselis
- Most Hospitable Initiative Creating Vilnius 2019 – Glass Quarter
“We pay great attention to service quality and other aspects that ensure a unique guest experience and positive emotions: for example, we have created playlists tailored to different spaces and times of day,” said PACAI Hotel Director Rūta Pulkauninkaitė-Macikė. “This recognition is a great Christmas gift for our team, as everyone strives to be the most hospitable.”
According to a recently published survey on Lithuanian awareness and reputation, “hospitable” is the most popular positive adjective used by foreigners to describe Lithuanians. We are proud to contribute to the positive image of the capital and the country through our activities.
“We are very pleased with the award, which was entirely unexpected, probably because we still feel like ‘newcomers’ – we are not even 2 years old. The award shows that what we are doing – we are doing it right. We want to convey a piece of Italy, a piece of Italian hospitality, and help our guests feel at home,” said Julija Pangonienė from the most hospitable coffee spot this year, Italala Caffe.
Eimutis Kuzmickas, the most hospitable private accommodation host in Vilnius, shared: “Throughout the 43 years I have lived in Vilnius, I have always strived to make Vilnius a center of attraction. We are grateful to the municipality and its companies, whose projects attract guests to the capital. The most important thing is to adhere to the fundamental business rule: the guest is always right, and if they are not, then look at the beginning of the sentence.” E. Kuzmickas admitted that he often helps guests avoid being late for the airport early in the morning, guides them to shopping centers, and helps with communication with vendors, and even finds dental assistance for a guest in need.
Petras Staselis, who was named the most hospitable guide, said that he never dreamed of becoming a guide in his childhood, but now he is happy to do what he loves: “Vilnius is my hometown. It is like an inexhaustible well, offering something new every day. I invite everyone to draw from it, discover Vilnius, and maintain hospitality.”
The most hospitable initiative this year was the Glass Quarter. It is created by the entire community of the quarter, with its soul being the renowned Lithuanian designer Julija Janus. Although she could not accept the award personally, her colleague Birutė Norvaišienė invited everyone to enjoy the Christmas spirit in Vilnius not only in the city’s major squares but also at the Glass Quarter: “Many would say that the Old Town is a treasure trove, with each courtyard telling fascinating stories. We work to tell these stories primarily to Vilnians, as not everyone knows what is hidden in the Old Town. We invite you not to forget to stroll through the Old Town streets, which are full of stories.”
The participants in the competition were selected from the top 10 highest-rated candidates from sources: www.google.com, www.tripadvisor.com, Foursquare, www.booking.com. However, voters could also suggest their own candidates.
The traditional “Vilnius Hospitality” competition is announced for the 12th year. The competition is organized by the Vilnius City Municipality Foreign Relations and Tourism Department. The competition idea has proven successful – Vilnius, renowned for its unique history, is rapidly growing and striving to meet the needs of both residents and city guests. Those directly working in the tourism sector – guides, museum staff, hotel and restaurant employees, and city residents who interact with foreigners – all shape the guests’ perception of the city. A good impression becomes a successful business card for Vilnius abroad, encouraging the growth of recommendations to visit.
The most hospitable were entertained by Kotryna Stasikėlė, Žygimantas Gudelis, and Marius Šinkūnas.
Information prepared by the Vilnius City Municipality Marketing and Communications Department.
