Liepāja's economic history has been dramatic – all the crises that have occurred globally have hit Liepāja the hardest. Despite this, the city has had a realistic and successful development strategy. It has not been governed by an illusion that is a real curse among Latvian municipalities, namely, that development can be based on tourism.

Tourism is good, but it cannot be the primary focus. Liepāja understands this. I remember a meeting at the Liepāja Olympic Centre around 2010 or 2011, where, together with the city management, we argued with likely well-meaning activists who insisted that there was no need for industrial zones, that one should only clean up the environment and then holidaymakers and tourists would come in droves.

That is not a realistic plan – cleaning up the environment is good, but it is not enough for the development of a city.