Prior to the Soviet Union's collapse, Arturas Jakubcionis was a schoolteacher, but shortly after his country gained freedom, he decided it was time to move on.

"It seemed to me there were opportunities out there, so I first moved to the Lithuanian Youth Tourism Center, and two years later to Filaretai Hostel," he said.

Approximately 4,000 people pass through Filaretai each year, with the leading visitors being Poles, Americans and Germans. "I, naturally, love them all," Jakubcionis, 39, said mirthfully.

As to how Lithuania might further boost its tourism market, Jakubcionis points to the need for more of "the vision thing" from the authorities. "There were 1.4 million tourists in Lithuania last year, and I think that figure could be doubled if other areas – outside of Vilnius, Trakai and the coast – were promoted," he said. "Lithuanians also need to be prepared to take more risks in business, but the government needs to show more vision for the future. When it does so, I think people will feel more confident about taking chances in business."