Wine tourism prospects in Georgia

26.08.2014. The Economic Prosperity Initiative (EPI) organized a Coffee and Conversation session on wine tourism for media professionals from various TV and Radio stations, newspapers and news agencies on August 20.

The representatives from the Wine Association, Sommelier Association, Incoming Tour Operators' Association and wine producing companies spoke about Georgian wine tourism sector opportunities.

Head of the Marketing Department at the National Wine Agency of Georgia, Irakli Cholobargia, said that the development of wine tourism in the country will promote a lot of small local businesses.

“For example, I know that some small home-type hotels decided to make their own wine in order to attract more people,” stated Cholobargia.

EPI's initiatives in the wine tourism sector (promotional video, wine tourism portal and guide) were promoted among Georgian media representatives. The video has already been uploaded on the internet and serves as a commercial for wine tourism.

Georgian Duty Free: Wine is a big success

11.08.2014 (Hvino News). Turkish operator ATU Duty Free has upgraded its duty free shops at Georgia’s Tbilisi and Batumi international airports. ATU’s decision to upgrade its airport duty free offer in Georgia comes at a time when international business and leisure passenger numbers are growing at airports across the country.

ATU Duty Free opened its Wines of Georgia store in Tbilisi Airport in 2011. The shop offers a wide selection of famous Georgian wines, which passengers buy both for personal consumption as well as gifts for business associates. ATU entered Georgia’s airport duty free market in 2006 when the company won concessions to operate two shops in Tbilisi International Airport and one outlet in Batumi International Airport.

“Opening the wines of Georgia store has been very successful both in financial and sustainability terms to preserve and promote Georgian wine culture,” said ATU Duty Free Deputy General Manager, Pinar Sener-Harput. “It is enjoyed by passengers using Tbilisi Airport."

New Georgia promotion video for worldwide campaign

08.08.2014 (Hvino TOUR News). Georgia has released its latest tourism campaign in the form of a video that will be spread around the globe. A one-minute video showcasing Georgia was released on the internet after it was officially presented by Georgia’s Department of Tourism.

Advertising agency JWT Metro, following a commission from Georgian National Tourism Administration, directed an amazing video, which depicts Georgia’s eye-catching nature and numerous tourist sights.

The video is in English and is aimed at foreign tourists, but it will not leave even locals indifferent. “When you come to Georgia, it’s like being born all over again… Your heart, your mind, the way you think – it starts here to different heartbeats, to an unfamiliar tune, and you can finally say “I know it – this is life.”

Tourism boom continues in Georgia

04.08.2014. In the past year, over 5 million overnight guests-stays came to Georgia - the small country at the Black Sea, which is more than the country's total population of 4.49 million. Further, the need of new hotel beds is growing. Especially mid-class hotels are on demand.

In 2013, the number of foreign guests increased by 21.8 percent in comparison to the previous year. The bulk of visitors (88%) came from the neighbor countries such as Turkey (1,6 Million), Armenia (1,29 Million), Azerbaijan (1,08 Million) and Russia (0,77 Million).

The number of German guests increased to 30,815 in opposite to 26,448 in the same period of time (total number of visitors from EU Countries: 208,754). About 31 percent of the foreign travelers visited Georgia for the first time. More than two fifth of the guests stayed in hotels, and other ten percent in simple guests houses and hostels.

Currently Georgia operates 777 hotels with about 14,400 rooms. In Tiflis, the capital, currently six large and 20 small hotels are in the pipeline. Also in Batumi several large and mid-sized hotels will open their doors within the next years

Giorgi Sigua to resign on August 4

01.08.2014 (Hvino TOUR News). As InterPressNews was notified by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, head of the National Tourism Administration Giorgi Sigua will leave his post on August 4.

“In relation to the reports having been spread regarding Giorgi Sigua’s dismissal, we would like to inform you that the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development has made a decision on removing Mr. Sigua from his post. Mr. Sigua was informed regarding this decision beforehand and he will bow out from his post on August 4.

© Hvino TOUR News

Tourists from Ukraine and Russia Prevail in Branded Hotels of Adjara

16.07.2014. Representatives branded hotels located on the Black Sea coast of Georgia say that the citizens of Russia and Ukraine prevail among the guests.

In particular, according to the CEO of "Georgia Palace Hotel" Lela Tsulukidze, among the hotel guests are mostly  citizens of these countries.

"The greatest demand is expected in August and to date almost all the rooms with a few exceptions have been  booked. Compared with last year, in June the number of visitors reduced , but in July - increased. The hotel offers many new services - we have a golf course, swimming pool, the hotel consists of 380 rooms, a room rate  for two people  starts from USD 220. We expect that Kutaisi airport will increase the number of flights and more tourists will be able to arrive in Georgia "- says Lela Tsulukidze.

Tourists from Russia and Ukraine prevail in "Radisson Blu - Batumi" hotel as well.

According to the hotel management, in comparison to the summer of 2013,  weather is better now in Adjara and, accordingly, the number of tourists has increased.

"The hotel offers a varied menu, cooked by  guest chefs, the hotel has indoor and outdoor pools. The hotel has 168 rooms, the cost of a double room starts from  USD 195"-  the hotel representative reported.

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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Successful Routes Silk Road draws 300 in Tbilisi

10.07.2014. The first ever Routes Silk Road event, hosted by United Airports of Georgia in Tbilisi saw attendance from 300 senior aviation professionals from across the CIS, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia regions, opened with the Routes Silk Road Strategy Summit earlier this week. The event included a special gathering of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Silk Road Task Force.

It was clear from the engaging addresses, presentations and discussion sessions that Georgia and other countries in the region certainly have ambitions to grow their share of international air services and this country is at the forefront of developments as it seeks to maximise its geographical position and historic significance to develop a new Silk Road of air services between Europe in the west to Asia in the east.

“Although the Silk Road has been serving us for centuries there is still much to be discovered and developed in the modern era. Governments have strong supportive roles to play in facilitating accessibility and trade,” explained former banker Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and the country’s Vice Prime Minister who opened the Summit.

These presentations provided an enlightening introduction to the local aviation market and the first panel session on ‘Finding the right balance – How will different airline operating models bring success to the region?’ brought the views of some of the region’s prominent airlines and airport operators together for a discussion moderated by Yuliya Crane, Senior Consultant, ASM, the world route development consultants, who highlighted Georgia as “a proactive and progressive aviation authority.”

Government to turn Anaklia into "Georgian Las Vegas”

08.07.2014. In the backdrop of the former authorities' failure to turn Tsqaltubo into “Georgian Las Vegas ", the new government plans to do the same this time in Anaklia. Director of the Georgian National Investment Agency (GNIA) talks of the American company's plans in Anaklia.

According to George Pertaia, there is a company that is interested in construction of a very large city like Las Vegas and now it is being researched how profitable it will be. The Agency expects concrete steps at the end of the current or in the beginning of the next year.

Deputy Economy Minister Keti Bochorishvili explained that the Ministry of Economy is working on the project, which includes the opening of casinos in Anaklia.

Bochorishvili does not name the investor, saying that the company is asking for privacy talks. In her words, an interest in Anaklia is huge and talks about the project are expected to complete by October. Bochorishvili does not specify the amount of investments at this stage, but adds that the project consists of two phases, and the substantial amount of money will be spent.

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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Routes Silk Road opens in Tbilisi

04.07.2014. Leading Airlines and Airports Meet to Expand Air Services Between Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The first Routes Silk Road, the route development forum which connects Asia, the CIS, Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East will open this weekend in Tbilisi, Georgia. The event will bring together leading airports, airlines, tourism authorities, policy-makers and aviation stakeholders to develop new air services to, from and within the region, which is home to around two thirds of the world's population.

Hosted by United Airports of Georgia and supported by the Georgian National Tourism Administration, Routes Silk Road will take place in the Georgian capital on 6 - 8 July 2014. Over 250 delegates are expected to attend Routes Silk Road, representing over 45 airports and 35 leading airlines which connect the region, including Etihad, Air China, China Southern, Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, AirAsia X, easyJet, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Czech Airlines, Air Arabia, Wizz Air and Atlasjet.

Georgia, Turkey to intensify cooperation in medical tourism

30.06.2014. A workshop was held in Tbilisi under the auspices of the International Association for Medical Services. The representatives of the health care system and the leading clinics of Turkey attended it. Visitturkeyforhealthcare Platform was the organizer of the workshop.

The representatives of the Ministries of Health of Georgia and Adjara, Medical University, leading central and regional clinics attended the workshop. Turkish doctors have presented their health care system and the reforms undertaken in this area over the last ten years.

A group of Turkish doctors will arrive in Georgia in the near future as part of the project, director of the platform, Dr. Dursun Aydin said.

He also said that the Turkish language courses will open for the Georgian doctors who do not have jobs. This is an opportunity for them to get a job in Turkish private hospitals.

Turkey has improved its medical system to a level equal to Europe and the USA over the last ten years. Some 3,700 Georgian citizens were treated in Turkey in 2012. Their number reached 6,000 in 2013.

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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Interest about Georgia increases among Latvian tourists

27.06.2014. From 6th to 13th June 2014 delegation from Latvian and Lithuanian representatives from Touristic agencies, media and PR companies went to information tour to Georgia. They were invited by Georgian National Tourism Administration in cooperation with Georgian Ministry of Economy.

Georgian National Tourism Administration in cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of Economy invited to visit Georgia different tourism agencies, heads of PR companies and media group representatives from Latvia and Lithuania.

Mr. Siko Gegiadze, representative of National Tourism Administration, while meeting delegation in Tbilisi said, “I am truly glad that interest from Baltic States only increases.” Specially noting that Georgian government is now devoting increased attention to development of tourism infrastructure, for example, renovation of medical facilities, building modern hotels, and small business development and raising the quality of services provided to tourists.

“We are ready to accept tourists from Latvia and Lithuania in any time of the year. As for recreation in Batumi beach by Black sea, as well as healing spa centers with magnetic therapeutic sand, and Caucasus mountains in winter. In Georgia you will feel the hospitality of its nation, the taste of national cuisine and wine. We have this saying, “Every guest is God's envoy.” And we follow this principle every day.” about Georgia said  Mr. Gegiadze. Emphasizing that this info tour has made these already friendly nations Latvia, Lithuania and Georgia even closer.

Ukrainian YanAir launches direct flights to Tbilisi, Batumi

26.06.2014. Ukrainian airline YanAir is launching a new regular flight service from Kiev to two cities in Georgia. The destination ports are the Georgian capital Tbilisi and Batumi, Georgia’s Black Sea resort town.

The first flight will depart from Kiev’s Zhulyany airport to Batumi this Saturday and to Tbilisi on July 1.

Flights from Kiev to Tbilisi will be scheduled three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Passengers travelling between Kiev and Batumi will be able to fly twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Passengers on these flights will enjoy the comforts of Airbus-320 and Saab 340 planes.

The Georgian National Tourism Administration, a Governmental body responsible for developing tourism, negotiated with YanAir’s officials to create the new flight service.

In the past few months, more than ten new flights have connected Ukraine cities with cities across Georgia.

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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"Aeroflot" to Resume Regular Flights to Georgia

12.06.2014. According to the materials on the website of the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviaciya), JSC "Aeroflot" was granted permission by the Russian aviation authorities to perform scheduled air transportation in Tbilisi.

"To grant permission after receiving the response note of the Georgian Foreign Ministry on the resumption of regular air traffic," – it is said in a statement.

Air traffic between Russia and Georgia was interrupted in August 2008 due to the Russia-Georgia war. Flights were resumed in August 2010.

Currently the Russian airline "Siberia" is performing flights in Georgia.

Source

A number of new flights to open from Georgia in summer

05.06.2014. A number of new scheduled and charter flights from Georgia are open in summer of 2014, head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, Giorgi Sigua told the Azerbaijani journalists.

"A number of new scheduled flights from Russia, European countries are being opened this year. From June 14, Ukraine International Airlines from Lvov, Kharkov, Kiev start flying to Batumi. They will have 10-11 weekly flights. Also, "Dniproavia" will fly from Dnepropetrovsk. WizzAir Airlines increases number of flights from Kutaisi to Kiev," he said.

Furthermore, it is planned a lot of scheduled flights from Moscow, Israel, the Arab states in summer, according to the administration head.

At present, negotiations are held with the Hungarian WizzAir company on making the Kutaisi airport as a base airport for this company, according to Sigua.

Study of untapped tourist areas started in Georgia

30.05.2014. Ecotourism Development Center explores the untapped tourism zones of Georgia. Mr. Zaza Gagua, head of the Center, noted that the projects are implemented under the order of the National Tourism Administration.  He mentioned that at this stage specialists are studying the agro-tourist potential in the surroundings of Tbilisi. Study of adventure tourism destinations is also underway in Dedoplistskaro municipality.

According to Mr. Gagua, a survey will be completed by the end of June , but it is known that there is a possibility of arranging 2 pedestrian lanes, 2 bicycle lanes and two-day jeep tours in Dedoplistskaro. In his words, after the completion of the study, the Tourism Administration will start marking directions and promoting routes. Hiking and horseback riding routes are being studied in Samegrelo and Svaneti regions.

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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Batumi tourist season to be opened on May 31

21.05.2014. The tourist season in Adjara will be officially opened on May 31, according to Mamuka Berdzenishvili, Deputy Director of Tourism Department of Adjara. According to him, the season opening  in Batumi will be celebrated with various sporting and musical events that  will last until  the late evening while during the summer several important festivals are planned (including the Jazz festival) organized by a private sector.

As for this year's novelties, Berdzenishvili notes that online marketing operates in the Department, which includes social networks which will allow spreading advertising information in nine target countries adjacent to Georgia.

A representative of Adjara Tourism Department expects a 15% increase in the number of tourists in comparison with last year. In his words, last year more than 400 thousand tourists arrived in Adjara.

Berdzenishvili notes that only competitive environment can influence on prices. He adds that by 2016 it is planned to increase the number of rooms at the hotel to  3 500 as well as to open new catering facilities that will increase the competition.

A total of 3 million GEL will be allocated from the budget of Adjara Tourism Department for targeted events  and services development.

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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Mestia airport among 10 most beautiful airports in the world – BBC

16.05.2014 (Hvino TOUR News). Most airports are purely functional, but these are architectural wonders. BBC’s  Jonathan Glancey shows where flying becomes a work of art.

Georgian Queen Tamar Airport of Mestia is on the list of ten most beautiful airports in the world along with the airports of Hong Kong, Uruguay, Venice, California, Scotland, Japan, France, Saudi Arabia and Jeddah. 

“Mestia is a small ski town, 1,500m up in the Caucasus mountains in northwest Georgia and its churches and forts form a Unesco World Heritage site. The bizarre new airport terminal – in the guise of an extruded square steel and glass section bent into three improbable directions – is the work of the German artist and architect Jurgen Mayer-Hermann. The black and white structure has been designed to attract the curious and to help put Mestia on the map of the modern world,” BBC informs.

© Hvino TOUR News

Tour operators do not expect a boom of Ukrainian tourists in Georgia

15.05.2014. Ukrainian tour operators have not confirmed assumptions about the growing interest of Ukrainian citizens to travel to Georgia, and do not see the trend of doubling of demand.

Will the flow of Ukrainian tourists grow on the coast of Georgia at the expense of the citizens of Ukraine who spent their vacation in the Crimea until the annexation of the peninsula by Russia?

"Commersant" was told by manager of "Calypso-Ukraine" Irina Gurenko that Ukrainian tourists always showed a great interest to Georgia, but a significant growth had not been observed in recent time - especially based on the situation which is now evolving in the country.

"We hope for the best. Georgia is a great alternative to the Crimea. We have different categories of tourists, and each product has its buyer. It will be very good if the prices of tourist services in Georgia decrease," - she says.