The Bank of Venti celebrates its 10th anniversary!
06.12.2021 - 15:27
The Bank of Venti, also known as the project “A Country in a Country” celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Over a time period of ten years, the Bank of Venti has virtually earned 76 million of Venti through the website visitventspils.com, while more than 78 000 people from all over the world have withdrawn 62 million of Venti. In celebration of its anniversary, a wide range of activities are offered, such as insight into the chronicles of Venti, new games, and a contest.
What are Venti?
Venti are a non-monetary means of payment used exclusively in the Ventspils State City. It is a local currency that provides access to privileges and discounts at different active leisure and entertainment centres. Venti can be used as means of payment at nearly 40 tourist attractions.
How did it all start?
In 2011, the Venti campaign, also known as the concept "A Country in a Country" was launched for the Ventspils City, in collaboration with the agency "DDB Worldwide Latvia" and the public relations agency "Nords Porter Novelli". The campaign has recorded several successes and several international acknowledgements, ranking second among the top 15 public relations campaigns and sharing this position with a grand such as "Procter & Gamble's", which resulted in a golden medal at the international creative excellence festival "ADwards", etc.
The Ventspils Venti campaign was created, taking into account the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the city, which had already previously shaped the opinion of Ventspils as a country in a country. The city had already its own flag, coat of arms, language, and even its own time zone. Therefore, the decision to launch its own currency Venti and to open a virtual embassy www.visitventspils.com was only natural.
In October 2011, 1 million Venti were put into circulation for the first time. Currently, the currency has already 6 different denominations: 5; 10; 20; 50; 100, and 500. All banknotes depict cows designed by the most prominent Latvian artists for the international arts and patronage project "Ventspils Cow Parade 2002". The cows depicted on the banknotes are located in the urban environment, and they are still the most popular tourist attractions.
Venti are still popular not only among tourists, but also among the locals. Over a time period of ten years, the Bank of Venti has virtually earned 76 million of Venti through the website visitventspils.com, while more than 78 000 people from all over the world have withdrawn 62 million of Venti.
December - the month to celebrate the local currency! Let us celebrate together!
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Bank of Venti, the Ventspils Tourism Information Centre has prepared several activities and surprises:
- Throughout December, everyone is welcome to follow the heading "The Chronicles of Venti" on social media @VisitVentspils Facebook, to gain an insight into the history of the Bank of Venti.
- All those participating in the social media contest @VisitVentspils Facebook, will have the opportunity to win a delicious prize - a real cake prepared by the pastry shop "Ventspils Kārumnieks". The winner will be announced on 30 December, at 14:00.
- Two new games of Venti have been created! The game in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Bank of Venti is available at VisitVentspils, under the section "Earn Venti". The other anniversary game is available here. However, in order to play it, you must download the app "Metaverse" on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- When playing all games and withdrawing the Venti in December, you will get the double of the accumulated amount.
Visit the website visitventspils.com and learn more about the highlights in the city, infrastructure objects, accommodations, and upcoming events, and earn Venti!
Thank you!
So much effort, creativity, and working hours have been invested in developing and launching this unique project "A Country in a Country". Therefore, the Ventspils Tourism Information Centre wants to thank each and every person who worked and contributed to this campaign. A special thanks goes also to those who have been earning the Venti so actively, as well as to the tourist attractions in Ventspils which support this marketing activity! Let us celebrate this anniversary together!
