"Drink Georgian!" community is launched for fans and producers

30.09.2013 (Hvino News). "Drink Georgian!" is the simple and catchy slogan of a global community launched recently for the fans of famous Georgian drinks worldwide, as well as for producers, importers and retailers. "Drink Georgian!" (DG!) unites under a single umbrella the Georgian-made wine, spirits, mineral water and soft drinks including the famous lemonades.

The mission of "Drink Georgian!" is to offer a platform for people and businesses to show they are fans of Georgian drinks. People who like Georgian wine, spirits, mineral water and soft drinks can simply “like” the community's Facebook page; while companies, government agencies, mass media and other organizations may also display their logos on the project’s website, to show their support.

DG!'s website also offers a choice of banners with community' logo for free download. The red square buttons are available in Georgian or in English and in various sizes. They may be copied and pasted to any personal or corporate site or blog without limitations, to raise awareness about the "Drink Georgian!" community.

An important marketing advantage of DG! is that it is not directly advocating alcohol consumption. Therefore "Drink Georgian!" is not restricted by laws which impose limits on alcohol advertising, which are in force in some of the world's countries including Russia.

Hvino.com, the initiator of "Drink Georgian!", welcomes cooperation with all organizations, companies, mass media who wish to support the promotion of Georgian products and exports, as well as popularization of Georgian traditional food, drinks, culture, and lifestyle.  Inquiries may be sent to our team at Hvino News / Hvino TOUR News.

© Hvino News   |  ■DRINK GEORGIAN!

Spanish companies to invest in hotel business

26.09.2013 (Hvino Tour News). Deputy Finance Minister Giorgi Tabuashvili  met with representatives of Spanish investment companies Perfako Group and Metronia. "The companies are interested in investing in the gaming and hotel business. They are interested in business environment that exists in these spheres. During the meeting, they expressed their readiness to consider concrete projects in the near future, together with Georgian partners", - said Giorgi Tabuashvili.

The Deputy Finance Minister introduced the economic situation in the country, the business environment, tax policy, as well as the regulation in the field of hotel and gambling to the guests.

According to Francis Perez, president of Perfako Group, he is very pleased with the meetings held at the ministries of economy and finance.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)    |   ■DRINK GEORGIAN!

Pegasus: after Atlasjet's entry, we will decrease prices

20.09.2013. The entry of a new Turkish airline into the Georgian market  will give an incentive to prices  reduction. "Pegasus" expects such results after Atlasjet's entry in the market.

Atlasjet (Atlasjet International Airlines) will launch  daily regular flights to Istanbul starting from October 3.The airline operates domestic scheduled passenger services and regular charter flights to Europe, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates. Managing Director of the company's Georgian representation Samir Khalilov said that they are not a "discounter" company, the airline offers a full-service: food and drinks on board, business - class full service and an unprecedented offer for the Georgian market – a bus  which will bring passengers free of charge to the airport from the city center.

As for the prices, for example, one-way ticket costs 77 Euro while a flight in business- class will cost  177 Euro.

According to Levan Elizbarashvili, the head of the Georgian representation of the Turkish airline "Pegasus" operating on the market,  they will offer lower prices than Atlasjet and the company will not face a  danger of losing passengers.

Hilton Worldwide announces entry into Georgia via Tbilisi and Batumi

13.09.2013 (Hvino Tour News). Hilton Worldwide on September 12th announced the signing of two management agreements which mark its entry into Georgia. Flagship brand Hilton Hotels & Resorts will debut in the coastal city of Batumi in summer 2014, whilst Georgian capital Tbilisi will be the location for a mid-market Hilton Garden Inn property in 2016. The two projects are entirely separate with different partners but jointly represent Hilton's arrival into Georgia.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, "Georgia is a growing business and leisure tourism destination and we are delighted to have reached agreement on two separate deals to bring two new world class hotel brands to the country for the first time. Hilton Worldwide is growing across Eastern Europe and we see significant potential to bring quality, branded accommodation to the region."

Georgia is enjoying a period of sustained economic growth, driven by its production of sustainable energy and inward foreign investment. Representing a frontier between Europe and Asia, it is a key strategic outpost for businesses seeking to expand further east, and thus benefits from significant demand in the meetings and events sector.

EBRD to fund construction of first Hilton hotel in Georgia

12.09.2013 (Hvino Tour News). EBRD reported that it will allocate loan of $18.7 million for construction of middle-class Hilton Garden Inn in Tbilisi. Concept of the hotel will be developed by Redix Group. 

The project site is located on Chavchavadze Avenue, close to the city center and major corporate demand generators, and would feature 160 rooms, 1900 square meters of retail space and approximately 80 underground parking units.

There are only two international branded hotels in operation in the mid-market segment in Tbilisi and very few in the pipeline. Non-branded mid-market hotels are classified according to the local rating system and the vast majority do not meet international standards. The project will thus improve standards of accommodation and services offered at affordable rates to both leisure and business travelers. 

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Russian tourists help Georgia’s recovery

09.09.2013.The years leading up to the August 2008 war between Georgia and Russia saw increasing unrest and a constantly widening rift. In September 1991, the people of Tbilisi in Georgia had already blocked Russian TV and radio signals and had covered or removed signs written in the Russian language. Now, five years after the war is over, Russian troops still patrol in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two provinces of Georgia.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries are nil, and trade agreements are strained. Despite joining the World Trade Organization, Russia still blocks produce from Georgia completely and disallows commercial travel. However, the southern country has found ways of getting around these restrictions and increased Russian tourist numbers to nearly 500,000 visitors this year.

First, Georgia has removed visa restrictions for Russians who want to visit. Second, they structure their flights as charters and continue to fly from Moscow to Tbilisi two times every day, and from Moscow to Kutaisi, Georgia's second largest city, three times per week. These measures have made Russians the most common people to visit Georgia for pleasure.

161 new hotels opened in Georgia last year

05.09.2013 (Hvino Tour News). According to Geostat, Georgia's official statistics agency, 161 new hotels opened in Georgia in a year. Geostat informs that in 2012 777 hotels and hotel-type facilities were in Georgia, in 2011 - 611. Total number of rooms in 2012 was 14 463 units, in 2011 - 12 901.

The agency explains that this data includes legal persons and individual entrepreneurs (including local units and branches), registered as hotel or hotel-type facilities in accordance to Georgian legislation.

It's noteworthy that number of hotels has doubled compared to 2007.

According to official statistics, last year visitors' number equaled to 1 185 100 persons, which exceeds to 2011 data by 332 100 persons. Among them 665 500 were foreigners,
8561 persons were employed in the hotels and hotel-type facilities.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Georgia may host general assembly of the World Tourism Organization in 2017

02.09.2013 (Hvino Tour News). In 2017, Georgia may host general assembly of the World Tourism Organization, said George Sigua, head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, during the current assembly session in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the plenary session Mr. Sigua talked about the Georgian government's tourism politics, the implemented projects and future plans, as well as the open sky policy and aviation issues.

After the presentation, Sigua met with Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the Organization. The meeting focused on Mr. Rifai’s possible visit to Georgia, the discussion of Georgia as a host country  of General Assembly in 2017 and other topics.

During the visit George Sigua also met with the Head of the Russian Tourism Agency Alexander Radkov, Head of the State Agency for Tourism and Resorts of Ukraine Elena Shapovalova, officials of tourism departments from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Iraq.

Sigua received proposal from the Government of Zambia to become the country's honorary consul in Georgia.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Education challenge facing hospitality industry

by Maia Edilashvili

28.08.2013. Despite a love for guests, Georgians have struggled to overcome their Soviet past and create efficient, professional -- and civil -- hospitality staff for the growing number of tourists coming to the country. A new program by Tbilisi City Hall, however, hopes to increase standards and create a warm welcome for tourists and locals alike.

Being a gracious host is an art form in Georgia, where being hospitality is a considered a birthright and nurtured from childhood. But despite the priority placed on hosting at home, in the commercial sector, Georgians are still struggling to create a culture of hospitality.

Hotels that lack basic amenities, boring tour guides, and cafés with surly wait staff that serve more snark than sandwiches may mar otherwise fabulous trips to gorgeous Georgian destinations.

A 2011 Value Chain Assessment report from USAID's Economic Prosperity Initiative (EPI) found several reasons for these problems, including the fact that workers are undertrained, young people are uninterested working in the service industry, and employers are reluctant to hire potential employees over the age of 40.

5 million GEL to be spent on infrastructure projects in Borjomi

26.08.2013 (Hvino Tour News)A total of 5 million GEL will be spent on infrastructure projects in Borjomi municipality in 2013. According to Borjomi district administration more than one million had been allocated from the state budget. Infrastructure Ministry would allocate additional one million 200 thousand GEL.T hey say that more than one million will be spent on rehabilitation of the Borjomi Park, 340 thousand GEL will be  spent on the arrangement of Likani sewage systems. More than one million GEL will be allocated from  the local budget on the roads, street lighting and water system works.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Two hotels opened in Tbilisi with Kazakh funding

21.08.2013 (Hvino Tour News) Georgia-Kazakh investment group “Tiflis Development" will open two new hotels in Tbilisi in September.

The names of hotels are not yet known, but one of them will be located in Abanotubani, and another in Saburtalo district. The hotel located in Abanotubani will be 4-storey building and in total 2 million USD was invested in it. The second hotel, which will be 16–storey, costed 3 million USD.

“Tiflis Development " is going to open the hotel officially  in September. Management has not yet set the pricing policy.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Stalin statue roils Georgia 60 years after dictator’s death (with video)

by James Brooke

15.08.2013. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the death of Georgia’s most famous - or infamous - son, Josef Stalin. A missing bronze Stalin statue has become a lightning rod for controversy.

For 30 years, Stalin ruled the Soviet Union with an iron fist, killing as many as 20 million people through executions, exile and man-made famines.

But here in Gori, Iosif Dzhugashvili, or Stalin, is a hometown boy. On Stalin Avenue, Gori’s Stalin Museum preserves the humble brick cottage where baby Stalin spent his first four years.

Stalin is Gori’s number-one tourist attraction. But Gori’s love affair with Stalin took a jolt three years ago. Under the cover of darkness, the pro-Western government of Mikheil Saakashvili removed a massive bronze Stalin statue from Gori’s main square.

Georgia had 26% more tourists so far in 2013

13.08.2012. The number of people who visited Georgia has increased by 26 percent in the first seven months of 2013 compared to the same period last year.

Giorgi Sigua, Chairman of the National Tourism Administration, said at a briefing that in the first seven months 2 797 910 foreigner visitors arrived to Georgia, which was 26 percent more than last year.

Turkey is where the highest number of visitors — 911 427 — come from, followed by Armenia with 620 213, and Azerbaijan with 550 543.

The number of visitors from Europe in the first two months was 2 115 144. This is a 27 percent increase.

In July, the number of foreigners who visited Georgia was 609 189. This is 16 percent more than in July, 2012 (527 006). The highest number of visitors came from Armenia, 162 592, followed by Turkey with 139 002 and Russia with 115 871.

According to the National Tourism Administration, 4 389 256 tourists visited Georgia last year. This year the administration expects to see more than 5 million tourists in total.

Source

Mobile guides service to help tourists launched in Tbilisi

12.08.2013 (Hvino Tour News) Starting from today, mobile guides will serve the tourists in the capital of Georgia. According to the National Tourism Administration, guides will serve visitors 3 days a week, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mobile groups in branded uniform will work in the touristic areas. They will offer printed materials and provide necessary information to tourists free of charge, the National Tourism Administration states.

The guides will circulate between Liberty Square, Rustaveli Street, Shardeni Street, Abanotubani, Narikala  from 10 AM till 8 PM.

The project is planned for a period of 2 months and will last until October.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Kutaisi gets ready for Imereti Wine Festival

11.08.2013 (Hvino News). Preparations for Imereti Wine Festival are ongoing in the city of Kutaisi. The city will host guests of the festival in the vicinity of Okros Chardakhi. Okros Chardakhi (Golden Marquee) is the only surviving structure of the 17th century palace of the kings of Imereti in Kutaisi./

Imereti Wine Festival -2013 is organized by Georgian Presidential Administration. Similar event was held in Shida Kartli, and will take place in other regions of Georgia as well.

Wine Festival aims at popularization of Georgian wines and preservation of unique vine species. It will contribute to attraction of entrepreneurs and selling of Georgian wines both on domestic and international markets.

© Hvino News

Investment of half billion Georgian lari is planned in tourism

10.08.2013 (Hvino Tour News) Giorgi Sigua, head of Georgian Tourism Administration, reports that about 500 million lari (approx. 250 million EUR) will be invested in different infrastructure projects. "We want to rise tourism's share in GDP up to 6.5% (currently, 4.5%) and later - up to 9%", he stated.

According to Mr. Sigua, serious investment is planned in Anaklia resort. Companies, which want to invest in Anaklia, will be exempted from taxes for 10-15 years, he says.

The Administration plans to build ski slope of 10-12 km in Mestia, which must be completed before March 2014.

Besides, the Administration says that rehabilitation of Tskaltubo would be completed with financial support from the World Bank.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

24/7 hotline to help tourists

09.08.2013. With the goal to help foreign visitors receive reliable information easily, the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) initiated a 24/7 hotline. So, starting in August all interested travelers both local and international can call 0 800 800 909 and receive information free-of- charge about transportation and the best places stay and eat.

In addition, visitors can also receive information about hiking tours, planned national festivals, events and other activities. The GNTA says that visitors will be informed about the hotline immediately after they cross the Georgian border.

According to the GNTA, at the first stage, the hotline is available only in three languages: Georgian, English and Russian, but the team hopes to add other languages soon.

Georgian Railway aiming to grow

06.08.2013. Georgian Railway has set out its plans for future development, saying it aims 'to become one of the companies promoting growth of the national economy.'

The national railway said a close relationship with freight shippers is a priority. Freight income in the Q1 2013-14 was up 13% on the same period last year, and GR expects liquid freight to increase by 870000 tonnes and dry freight by 200000 tonnes this year. More efficient use is being made of crews, and average train loads, speeds and energy efficiency are increasing.

Negotiations with Azerbaijan aim to establish through tariffs for cotton, wheat, coal and NATO traffic from Afghanistan, which GR expects would help to grow traffic.

GR aims to adopt ISO 9001 standards and introduce harmonisation with EU directives. A freight terminal and customs facilities are to be built at Batumi for transhipping goods arriving from Turkey by road, and there will be closer integration with Black Sea ferries.

Source

Georgia’s tourism authority says no to ads on CNN and BBC

01.08.2013. The new Georgian Government is saying no to the country’s promotion via CNN, BBC and other leading international TV channels. “The previous TV campaign was quite simply a waste of money,” Giorgi Sigua, new head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) said. Banners, LED screens and billboards, and online advertisements are the new advertising means of choice of the current administration.

“The money needs to be spent on promoting Georgia outside of Georgia, because once you get here it sells itself. People have not heard about the changes that have happened here over the last couple of years. As a tourist I would like to know more about Georgia,” Tom Flanagan, Area Vice President of the Rezidor Hotel Group, recently stated in an interview.

“Awareness is relative. Georgia’s awareness in its neighbouring countries is high; in Eastern Europe it is average, and in the USA, Australia and Africa - very low,” Sigua stated.

“When planning a promotional campaign you should research the gross rating point, which means defining your target audience. You can broadcast an ad for millions of people but none of them might necessarily be your target. CNN’s audience is North America. It is not our target market,” said Sigua.

A new airport may be constructed near Tbilisi

20.07.2013 (Hvino Tour News) Airzena, thee new Georgian airline, came  up with initiative to build a new airport at the former Vaziani military airbase near Tbilisi.

Airzena's general director Iase Zautashvili stated on Friday, that Tbilisi international airport is small and a new airport is needed to drive economic growth.

А new airport might be constructed on the site of the Vaziani airfield. According to Zautashvili, it is not possible to bring the runway at the current international airport up to an ideal working standard. Twice during the past two months, planes have narrowly escaped accidents, pointing towards low standards in navigation services, Mr. Zautashvili says.

The secret to Georgian grilled meats? Grapevines and lots of wine (with audio)

by Corey Flintoff, National Public Radio



18.07.2013. Tucked between Russia and Turkey, the Republic of Georgia is renowned for great food: cheese dishes, pickles, breads and stews. This is a cuisine that you should not miss.

And on summer evenings in the capital, Tbilisi, the air is fragrant with the smells of one of Georgian cookery's highlights: grilled meat, or shashlik.

You can find good shashlik at restaurants with white tablecloths, but the very best in all Tbilisi is said to be at a roadside stop called Mtsvadi Isalamze. It's an unassuming place with rows of wooden picnic tables in an open yard.

The grill is a brick hearth where Giorgi Kavelashvili follows the traditions of his native Kakheti, the easternmost province of Georgia and the nation's wine country. Kavelashvili is 19, but he grills with absolute confidence, because, he says, "In Kakheti, everyone knows how to make shashlik. So I studied it from my childhood."

Number of foreign tourists in Georgia has increased

17.07.2013. (Hvino Tour News) The number of tourists leaving for Georgia from Armenia during the first 6 months of 2013 has increased by 55 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

The number of international tourists arriving in Georgia for the first six months has increased by 25 percent compared to the same period of 2012: 2 188 721 people.

The number of tourists from Turkey has increased by 18 percent and from Russia by 69 percent being 105 988 people. Number of Ukrainian tourists has increased by 73 percent.

During the last five years the highest income from tourism has been received in 2012.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

BBC on Tbilisi: Riding one of the world's steepest funicular railways (video)

17.07.2013. Rajan Datar jumps aboard the funicular railway in Georgia's capital Tbilisi and takes a ride down to the centre of the city which has fallen victim to foreign invasion on dozens of occasions over the centuries.

Georgians hope any new invaders will be tourists looking to explore the former Soviet Republic.

The "Wizz Air Efect" or how Georgia became part of the global economy

by Eric Livny, Irakli Galdava

16.07.2013. On Monday evening I am taking the express train from Tbilisi to Samtredia with my wife and two kids (business class, 120GEL). We plan to stay overnight in a little family hotel (40GEL), and at 6.30am we’ll board the Wizz Air flight to Katowice, Poland, at the cost €40 a person and €35 per suitcase (one way).

Seat reservations, luggage, train and guesthouse included, the roundtrip to Poland will cost my family around €700 compared to €1,500-2,000 using any other, conventional option. A real bargain! (even if we ignore the fact that my wife’s family is actually from Katowice!)

The renovation of Kutaisi Airport and entry by a low cost carrier (LCC) are significant events in Georgia’s modern history. Yes, for now the choice of destinations served by Wizz Air is very limited and commuting from Tbilisi to Kutaisi presents a formidable challenge, certainly for the business travelers among us. Because of these limitations, in the first three months since opening in late September 2012, Kutaisi served a miniscule 4,000 passengers per month, as compared with the 2012 Tbilisi average of 100,000/month. Yet, the Kutaisi/Wizz Air option will no doubt have a strong positive impact on Georgia’s economy and its connection to the rest of the world.

Kazakh travel agencies blame Georgian partners for "complacency"

15.07.2013. Representatives of Kazakh travel agencies are complaining about the complacency of their Georgian partners. Kazakh travelers have a big interest in Georgia, but lack of available information is hampering bilateral relations, The Fianancial was told at a meeting with travel agencies in Astana.

Kazakhstan is becoming a top target country for the Georgian National Tourism Association, due to its high GDP. The list includes Russia and Oman.

Kazakhstan is one of the largest investors in Georgia. In 2008 Georgia attracted the largest FDI from Kazakhstan, despite the recent war with Russia. Kazakhstan financed several Tbilisi hotels, including the Radisson, built and upgraded energy export facilities (e.g. the oil terminal in Batumi), grain terminals, and other infrastructure. Other investments include tourism development in Georgia’s Adjara region and energy systems in Tbilisi.

Carlson Rezidor announces the Park Inn in Tbilisi

09.07.2013. Carlson Rezidor, one of the ten largest hotel groups worldwide and the leading international hotel operator in Russia/CIS, announces the Park Inn by Radisson Rustaveli Tbilisi in Georgia. The mid-market property featuring 200 rooms is scheduled to open in Q3 2015.

“We are delighted to introduce our dynamic brand Park Inn by Radisson to Georgia’s capital city and to further strengthen our presence in the country”, said Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO of Rezidor. Carlson Rezidor already operates the stunning Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, Tbilisi and the contemporary Radisson Blu Hotel, Batumi in Georgia, and develops new resort property in Tsinandali.

Designed to be hip and cool and targeting the growing clientele of Gen X and Y, Park Inn by Radisson Rustaveli Tbilisi is part of the conversion of the existing post office building. The complex is located right next to the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel and on the most commercial street of Tbilisi , Rustaveli Avenue.

Georgian - Russian tourism project to launch in September

09.07.2013. A Russian advertising company will help  the Georgian travel company in search of tourists  and promotion of  the region. Travel company's managing director  Mr Levan Tsitskishvili said that they would be  focused mostly on Russian tourists and the Russian advertising company will help in it.

 Recently the number of Russian tourists has significantly increased in Georgia, and that is why we decided to open a travel company  that will be focused on  Russian tourists, "- Tsitskishvili notes.

He adds that the Russian company is not chosen yet, but the company will offer Russian tourists mainly wine and gastronomic tours. The new Georgian travel company will begin its active operation in September of  the current year.

New government names Russia one of the main target markets in  tourism.

According to official reports, last year more than 500 000 tourists came to Georgia from Russia, this year in  the period from January 1 to May 5, the figure increased by 77 percent.

Source

The new in place to get married (video)

07.07.2013. The Georgian resort of Batumi is getting the reputation as the Las Vegas of the Black Sea as couples flock to the pretty coastal city to get married.

Rajan Datar joined a wedding party to see for himself why so many people from as far afield as Italy and the United States are choosing Batumi as the place to get hitched.

BBC on Georgia's traditional singing (video)

05.07.2013. Traditional polyphonic singing is one of the Georgia's biggest cultural exports. Some of the songs go back to the eighth century but UNESCO has warned such traditional music is now threatened by an exodus of people from the rural areas and the growing popularity of pop music.

BBC's Rajan Datar joined a Georgian choir and team of dancers on a trip to one of Europe's highest villages and even made an attempt at polyphonic singing himself.

Iraqi Al Naser Airlines to start regular service from Tbilisi

04.07.2013. (Hvino Tour News) One more new air carrier will perform regular flights this summer from Tbilisi international airport. Al Naser Airlines of Iraq will perform flights to three destinations from Tbilisi.

Flights Najafi -Tbilisi, Basra -Tbilisi and Baghdad- Tbilisi will be performed 5 times per week during day hours, their passengers being provided services by MD-82 airplane.

The first flight from Najafi arrived on July 4, and brought the air company’s management to Tbilisi international airport.

Today at 11 a.m. Al Naser Airlines performed the first flight from Tbilisi to second destination – Basra.

Apart from Al Naser, two other airlines have begun operating flights to the Tbilisi Airport during the summer season, namely the Ukrainian Air Onix Airlines, and the Israeli Israir Airlines.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Iran: Georgia's unilateral abolishment of visa-free travel scheme 'insignificant'

04.07.2013. (Hvino Tour News) A senior Iranian lawmaker said Wednesday that Georgia's unilateral revoke of travel scheme with Iran is "insignificant."

"Georgia has in fact imposed an embargo against itself by unilaterally revoking a visa-free travel regime with Iran," Alaeddin Boroujerdi, chairman of Iran Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Boroujerdi denounced Tbilisi's new measure as "insignificant," saying that "Since tourism industry is among the world's money- making industries, Georgia placed an embargo on itself by revoking visa-free entry for Iranians," according to the report.

"The number of Iranians travelling to Georgia is not so considerable that the unilateral abolishment of this agreement would be important," he added.

On Tuesday, Georgia's Foreign Ministry confirmed that Georgia had revoked a 45-day visa-free travel scheme with Iran, which was signed in November 2010 and had been in effect since Jan. 26, 2011.

Number of Russian tourists visiting Georgia doubles - PM

03.07.2013. (Hvino Tour News) The number of Russian tourists visiting neighboring Georgia has doubled in the past months, Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili told journalists on Wednesday.

"The number of Russian tourists in Georgia has doubled, and this is good. I think, Georgia will soon become more attractive for tourists,” the prime minister said, without giving any exact figures.

According to Georgia’s National Tourism Administration, a total of 1.7 million foreigners, including some 200,000 Russians, visited Georgia in the first five months of 2013. In the same period last year, the country was visited by over 1.2 million people, over 100,000 of them Russians.
Russia introduced a visa regime with Georgia in December 2000, citing security threats. Since 2008, when the two countries severed diplomatic ties over a brief military conflict in the de-facto independent republic of South Ossetia, Georgians can apply for a Russian visa only to visit their close relatives or “in cases of humanitarian emergency.” Georgia unilaterally scrapped visas for Russians in February 29, 2012.

Georgia received 56 percent more tourists in 2012

02.07.2013. The number of tourists grew by 56 percent in 2012, according to the National Tourism Administration. 4 389 256 tourists visited Georgia last year.

In the period from January to May 2013, the number of tourists was 1 698 146, which is an increase of 31 percent compared to last year.

Broken down by country, the majority of visitors came from Turkey with 616 864, Azerbaijan – 355 809, Armenia – 353 732 and Russia – 184 287, followed by Ukraine 38 049, Iran – 26 360, US – 9 044 and Germany – 8 682.

According to the National Tourism Administration, 57 percent of all visitors to Georgia are tourists. The administration defines a visitor as a person who stays at least one night in the country.

38 percent of visitors come for holidays, 20 percent come to visit friends and relatives, while 5 percent are here on business trip. The capital remains the most popular destination for tourists with 44 percent, followed by Batumi, a city on Black Sea shores with 43 percent.

By the end of the year the administration assumes there will be about five million tourists in total.
The National Tourism Administration cooperates with tourist agencies as well as the ministries for foreign affairs, agriculture, economy and culture.

Source

Medical tourism workshop brings industry stakeholders to Tbilisi

30.06.2013. (Hvino Tour News) The Medical Tourism Association® (MTA), in collaboration with MedTourGeorgia, presented a daylong workshop on “Opportunities for Medical Tourism in Georgia,” which provided a forum for industry stakeholders to discuss business opportunities, common goals and challenges, June 25, 2013, at Tbilisi State Medical University.

“I am confident that this one-day workshop will raise awareness about medical tourism in Georgia and it will become an excellent basis for further activities in this direction,” said Dr. Paata Ratiani, founder and CEO of “MedTourGeorgia” and official MTA representative in Georgia, following site tours and meetings.

Presenters at the workshops included Jeff Coxon, education and engagement manager, MTA Europe; Amelia Fernandez, education & engagement coordinator, MTA Global; Dr. Prem Jagyasi, U.S. executive program director, MTA Global; Mary Miller, managing partner, MPROVE GLOBAL, Inc; and Dr. Paata Ratiani, founder and CEO, “MedTourGeorgia” and official MTA representative in Georgia.

Georgia's wine tourism future lies in showcasing its uniqueness

by Sharon Parsons

27.06.2013. A tour of the Eurasian country of Georgia was an opportunity to explore the enotourism or wine tourism potential of its wine regions. Here are some observations based on our experiences in Georgia. Georgia should not try to offer what you find in other winemaking regions of the world. Georgia's enotourism potential lies in showcasing what it has to offer the wine world. Georgia has much to offer that is very different from what you will find elsewhere. This includes (1) an extensive wine history, (2) a qvevri wine making tradition, (2) the celebration of wine and food through Georgian feasts or supras, and (3) Georgian wines made from indigenous grapes.

Georgia’s 8000 years of wine making history makes it is one of the oldest wine making regions in the world. In fact Qvevri wine making dates back to 1011AD to 4000BC, with viticulture in Georgia dating back to 6000BC. Qvevri (kvevri) wine making is a traditional wine making process that is still used in Georgia. What is unique to this wine making process is the use of a large earthenware vessel (qvevri) in which the wine is made. This natural wine making process involves the use of large clay pots, lined with beeswax that is buried in the ground.

National Tourism Administration takes part in Georgian-Israeli business forum

26.06.2013. (Hvino Tour News) Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) is represented in the Georgian-Israeli Open Business Forum in Tel Aviv.

The Forum was opened on June 25 by Georgia's prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. The event is organized by National Investment Agency of Georgia, Georgian Embassy in Israel and the Israeli Export and International Cooperation Institute.

National Tourism Administration continues wide marketing campaign in Israel this year to increase flow of tourists and maintain popularity of Georgia. The marketing campaign in 2012 resulted in 21% rise of number of tourists from Israel to Georgia. In 2011 there were 25 438 visitors from Israel, in 2012 – 30 755, in the first three months of 2013 – 3813 visitors.

GNTA's head Giorgi Sigua will meet with his Israeli counterpart and with other officials. Meetings with marketing and PR companies are also scheduled.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

President of Georgia attended Kartli Wine Festival

26.06.2013 (Hvino News) The President of Georgia attended Kartli Wine Festival 2013, which was held at the rehabilitated Castle District in the Georgian town of Gori. Mikheil Saakashvili spoke with winemakers and noted that such events will assist popularization of the local wine, which will give farmers more income.

The President also met with winemakers whose vineyards were illegally left on the other side of the "barbwire" (the de facto border installed after 2008's war with Russia) in Dvani.

The Kartlian winemakers treated the President with wine pressed out of ancient vine varieties. Exhibition and sale of various handmade goods was also held within the scope of the wine festival. Mikheil Saakashvili symbolically bought handmade products by persons with limited abilities and took photos with them.

Five questions with first deputy minister Dimitry Kumsishvili

by Maia Edilashvili

25.06.2013. Dimitry Kumsishvili, First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia shares the new government's vision and plans for development of the country's tourism sector.

Q: Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has said that tourism will be a significant sector but that its place will not be as prominent as it was before. What will that change mean for the tourism policy?

A: Tourism is a priority field for our government. As you know, the development of this field helps increase employment, facilitates the development of small and medium sized businesses, boosts budget revenues, and encourages regional development.

There are fundamental changes underway in this direction: a council of advisors has been set up that unites representatives of businesses- a step which aims to increase their engagement in the decision-making process; work is in progress on the tourism development strategy whereby, taking into account recommendations provided in the framework of EU twinning project - an institutional building tool -, a law on tourism will be drafted and works will be launched to establish regional management organizations. Changes are planned in the marketing area as well.

Hvino.com introduces Pop-Up Banners as premium advertising platform

23.06.2013. Since June 2013 all Hvino sites are offering Pop-Up Banners as the new premium-class advertising platform. This is the most visible and effective, yet non-obstructive advertising method. 

One may see how such banners work on all Hvino sites:

Pop-Up Banners have no limitation of format and size. They can also carry all types of modern animation including video and sound. 

As Pop-Up Banners doe not have fixed size, the placement rates are calculated individually for each client.

Special Introductory Offer:  For all campaigns starting from 2 months we offer one month of free advertising! 

If interested, simply email us at  ads[at]artenom-cfe.com.

Counting tourists in Georgia

23.06.2013. The former Georgian government used simple math to increase the number of tourists. Every single person crossing the Georgian border was considered a tourist, whereas many people, in particular truck drivers, are transit visitors who do not spend a single night in Georgia.

Therefore, to calculate the real number of tourists in Georgia, the authorities have started to distinguish between tourists and transit visitors.

As a result the National Agency of Tourism has made certain figures available; it appears that only 57% of people entering Georgia are actually tourists. The authorities distinguish between three types of visitors to the country: transit passengers; people who are visiting Georgia for holidays and those who are visiting families and friends. Popular destinations for tourists include Tbilisi, Batumi, Marneuli, Mtskheta, etc. In the first quarter of 2013 up to one million foreigners entered Georgia. This figure is higher than in the same period for last year.

Source

Head of Georgian National Tourism Administration presented new tourism strategy

by Nino Edilashvili

21.06.2013. The number of foreign visitors in Georgia increased 30% from last year and the expectation is that by the end of 2013, growth will total 37%, this according to Giorgi Sigua, the newly appointed head of the state-run Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA). His prediction is that this year more than five million foreign visitors, including 700, 000 visitors from Russia, will come to Georgia.

The position of the GNTA’s head was vacant for five months after Maia Sidamonidze, the previous head of the GNTA resigned in January of 2013.

On June 18, Dimitry Kumsihvili, the Deputy Economy Minister introduced Sigua to the media and business community representatives, saying that Sigua was an appropriate choice for this position. “He speaks five languages and we hope that he will be able to implement innovative projects together with the experienced group at the GNTA, as well as promote Georgia as a tourism destination worldwide,” Kumsishvili said.

57% of visitors to Georgia Jan-Mar 2013 were tourists

20.06.2013. 57 percent of foreigners who crossed the border into Georgia in first quarter of 2013 were tourists, according to the first result of a report conducted by the Georgian National Tourism Administration.

Giorgi Sigua, head of the administration, said while presenting the report at Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel that the remaining share of visitors are people who didn’t stay in the country for more than a day.

The presentation was attended by representatives of tour operators, hotels, restaurants and air companies.

Sigua noted that Georgia still doesn’t have a strategy for tourism, but there are already plans to implement certain structural changes, and to set up regional management organizations, while lawyers are working on preparing a law on tourism.

Wine and outhouses, Racha-Style

by Alice Feiring

19.06.2013. First, where is Racha? Northwest of Georgia (no, not Atlanta). Not far from Imeriti. Gorgeous. Rich in terroir; iron, carbon, granite, slate, marcasite, quartz,  limestone of all colors that is crawling with ancient crustaceans. The place is a raw nerve of terroir.

Yet the mountainous, pulse-stoppingly beautiful highland-like region is gravely under-utilized and way too poor. This, Georgia's smallest wine region with no bottle-ready wine maker currently on the market--is a  land in need of champion. No foreign star winemaker such as Raul Perez/Telmo Rodriguez is on the horizon. Given my prejudice about wine, this is a good thing.

But some of Georgia's best,  committed to making wine close to nature--like Imertian Ramaz Nikoladze, or Kartlians Niki Antadze and Iago Bitarishvili or Khaketian Gela Patalishvili--could help some of the home talent wanting to come to local and foreign tables.  But right now these local superstars are also struggling to make a dream happen-- as all were born in Soviet times when there no dreams were allowed.

The Rezidor Group VP: More about Georgia

Photo: The Financial

18.06.2013. The Rezidor Hotel Group, the managing company of Radisson Blu hotels in Tbilisi and Batumi, would like to have up to ten hotels in Georgia. Tom Flanagan, Area Vice President of the Rezidor Hotel Group, currently residing in Moscow, has said that good relations with Russia are essential for the development of tourism in Georgia. Mr. Flanagan spoke with The Financial last Wednesday at Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, where Rezidor Hotel Group held its regional conference in Tbilisi .

“Due to the increasing level of business activity as well as development of Georgia’s meetings facilities that meet international standards such as at Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, Tbilisi , the demand for Georgia as the business destination and event’s venue is growing” said Flanagan.

“The more positive relations with Russia of late are a very exciting part of the potential in Georgia. This is unbelievably positive progress for the country. We see the tourism figures of arrivals for the country jumping and Russians are starting to contribute to that. So, these growth figures are extremely important for the hotels as a feeder,” said Mr. Flanagan.

IWINETC Georgia 2014: Early bird registration announced

16.06.2013. If you are in the tourism or wine industry, prepare yourself for the 6th Annual International Wine Tourism Conference to take place in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The conference is scheduled for March 28-29, 2014. The conference is geared toward travel agents, wineries, restaurants, bloggers, writers and more. Up to 300 wine, culinary and travel professionals and wine and travel social and traditional media professionals will gather from throughout the world to meet, learn, and share at this, the sixth annual conference for the wine and culinary tourism industry.

30 places will be allocated to active wine and travel bloggers with a massive 60% discount on the price of the two day event. The Conference will include around 30 talks and workshops with an exhibition area to include wine tourism destinations not only in and around Georgia but also in grape escape destinations around the world. The popular evening After Conference programme will include the Grand Wines of Georgia Tasting and there will be smaller tastings of wines from neigbouring countries as well as a wine tasting from the 2015 host country!

Bloggers will also have the opportunity to participate in pre and post conference tours to the nearby Kakheti wine region where they will discover the world’s oldest wine culture and the unique qvevri tradition of clay pots used to create delicious, unfiltered, organic wines.

Source

New Georgian carrier, Eurasian Airways, eyes Europe-Asia market

12.06.2013 (Hvino Tour News) Eurasian Airways is a new Georgian airline that plans to use Tbilisi as an intermediate hub for passenger and cargo flights between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, reports Swiss aviation resource ch-aviation. Eurasian Airways will also aim to "incorporate the rapidly expanding markets in the Caspian, Black Sea and Caucasus region markets." At this point in time, however, no exact network or fleet plans have been divulged.

Eurasian Airways has a registered domain name eurasianairways.com (domain owner's name is Nikoloz  Medzmariashvili), bu the site is currently unreachable. HTN could not find additional information.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Flow of tourists in Mestia grows after a failed winter season

07.06.2013 (Hvino Tour News) Flow of visitors increased by 50% compared to previous months. After a failed winter season the local hoteliers talk about increased number of visitors.

According to  the administration of Tetnuldi hotel,  compared with the previous months,  the number of tourists has  increased by 50%.  Summer season is already open and 40% of rooms are booked. Japanese, French and German tourists prevail over locals in the resort. The hotel management says that prices are similar to last year: a price of a single rooms is 140GEL, while a double room costs 180 GEL. This price includes two meals a day as well.

Mestia Hotel also talks about increase of visitors. The hotel management notes that compared with
the previous months the flow of visitors increased by 50%. As for the prices, Mestia's management reduced prices to attract clients, and a double room now costs 100 GEL instead of 120 GEL.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Giorgi Sigua appointed as new head of Georgian Tourism Administration

07.06.2013 (Hvino Tour News) Giorgi Sigua was appointed as head of the National Tourism Administration of Georgia. He was presented by First Deputy Minister of Economy Dimitri Kumsishvili.

Previously Mr. Sigua was member of Georgian parliament, where he was deputy chairman of Committee on regional policy.

Position of head of the National Tourism Administration has been vacant since January 2013, after Maya Sidamonidze's resignatuion (see Director of National Tourism  Agency leaves her post)

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

Number of foreign visitors of Georgia grew by 32% over first months of 2013

06.06.2013. During the first four months of 2013, the number of international travellers in the country amounted to 1,291,593, which is 32% more in comparison with the same period of 2012. The number was 978,521 in the same period of the previous year. Visitors from neighbouring countries occupy the largest share of these increased figures. Georgia plans to host over 5 million visitors by the end of 2013.

The number of incoming international travellers from neighbouring countries amounted to 1,159,009 which is 285,486 higher than in the first four months of last year (a 33% increase). The number of Russian travellers also increased this year. Georgia hosted 57,395 Russian travellers more this year, 77% more than in the same period of last year. Travellers from Ukraine, Egypt, Iraq and Iran also increased.

“Political stability, transportation, impressions from previous visits and marketing activities in which our administration is engaged are the main factors causing this increased number of international visitors,” according to Rusudan Mamatsashvili, Head of the Planning and Development Department at the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA).

New airline services opened from Tbilisi to Baghdad, Iraq, and to Simferopol, Ukraine

03.06.2013 (HTN - Hvino Tour News). On May 30 FlyGeorgia inaugurated Tbilisi – Baghdad service, with twice weekly operation on board Airbus A319 aircraft. The service will start from late May.

Ukrainian Air Onix from June 3th opens service between Tbilisi and Simferopol (Crimea, Ukraine).  It is also twice weekly operation, on board Boeing-737 aircraft.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)