Georgia hosts regional tourism service providers

27.09.2014. Georgia hosted a regional group of tourism service providers and representatives of travel agencies from Armenia, Turkey, Georgia and Bulgaria visiting Georgia in the framework of the EU funded PIRT (Promoting Innovative Rural Tourism) project on Sept 17-22, 2014.

The project is implemented by Heifer Armenia as a lead partner in cooperation with Heifer Georgia, Varna Economic Development Agency (VEDA, Bulgaria), Gumushane National Educational Directorate, a press release said.

The regional group of 37 people consisting of tourism service providers and travel agents were in Georgia on exchange visit to discover the nature and cultural heritage of Georgia, study the potential for further development of rural tourism, as well as learn the specifics of Georgian rural tourism through visiting the sights of in rural areas, including ancient monasteries, museums, eco-cottages, wineries, a horse farm, etc.

Georgia’s tourism potential promoted in Azerbaijan

23.09.2014. Large-scale marketing campaign of Georgia's National Tourism Administration is underway in Azerbaijan.

Ad banners on Georgia have been placed in the central streets of Azerbaijani capital of Baku, and on the trains of Baku Metro. At the same time 30-second videos are being displayed on the monitors throughout the city.

Georgia's sightseeing places are also advertised on the social networking sites.

The marketing campaign in Azerbaijan will continue until December 15. Its goal is to promote Georgia's tourism potential.

Georgia's Tourism Agency told Trend on Sept. 8 that Azerbaijan is one of the priority tourism markets for Georgia.

In recent years, the number of visitors from Azerbaijan has increased significantly. According to stats, during the first eight months of 2014, Georgia was visited by 859,683 visitors from Azerbaijan or 25 percent more than in the same period of 2013.

Azerbaijan ranks second in terms of the number of visitors going to Georgia.

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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Russian politics causing cancellation of scheduled tours in Georgia

by  Mariam Papidze

08.09.2014. Large numbers of tourists are cancelling pre-booked trips to Georgia due to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel as well as the 3 days of shooting that occurred between Azerbaijan and Armenia. So far about 50 percent of scheduled tours have been cancelled, according to tour operator companies in Georgia. This year less tourists have come to Georgia from Italy, Poland and Israel. Meanwhile, Spanish tourists have been more interested in travelling to Georgia, they say. The economic crisis in Europe, tense situation between Russia and Ukraine, conflict in Israel and shooting between Armenia and Azerbaijan are cited as the main reasons why tourists are avoiding travel to Georgia.

“Last year Italian tourists were very active in this area, but currently, due to the economic crisis in Italy, less Italian tourists are visiting Georgia,” said Albina Iashchenko, MICE and Incoming Department Head at Destination Georgia. “Many tours are being cancelled by Italian tourists. However, Spanish tourists have become more interested in Georgia. The overall number of tourists in Georgia has decreased and this is down to the large number of cancelled tours. At our agency about 50 percent of scheduled tours have been cancelled this year, mostly by Italian tourists. Our partner companies in Italy are trying to create groups of tourists that will visit Georgia as tour packages are cheaper that way. In most cases such groups have not been created as the price of the trips is still considered expensive for tourists. This is why tourists have changed their travel destinations,” she added.

Georgia's Caucasian charm lures hikers and hipsters

07.09.2014. A history spanning centuries and civilizations, churches perched atop green mountains and inexpensive food and wine are just a few of the draws of the small Caucasian country of Georgia.

Nestled between Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Georgia has emerged from years of conflict to become the go-to travel destination in the Caucasus.

This land served as a battleground under the rule of Persians, Arabs, Mongols and Soviets until it declared independence in 1991. That was followed by years of civil war and economic hardship until the Rose Revolution of 2003, when peaceful protests ousted then-president Eduard Shevardnadze.

The country was rocked by a brief invasion by Russia in 2008 over disputed territory, and tensions still simmer.

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.

Panorama Tbilisi development project discussed

30.04.2014. On April 24, Tbilisi City Hall released a statement that they rejected the project offered by Panorama Tbilisi on March 27, 2014. Georgian billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili is one of the major investors in the project.

Panorama Tbilisi’s four multi-functional areas with a total investment of $500 million will be fully funded by the $6 billion USD Georgian Co-Investment Fund (GCF), which is a private equity fund.

The projects range across a variety of sectors totaling $1.3 billion USD including tourism and real estate, which will be allocated on half of the initial budget of half a billion USD. In addition, more than $770 million will be invested in two energy projects and $59.3 million USD will go towards developing Georgia’s agricultural industry with dairy farms and greenhouse projects.

Hospitality industry booms in Georgia

21.04.2014. There is an unprecedented boom happening in the hospitality industry in emerging markets worldwide, including Georgia, according to Jeffrey Catrett from the Institut Paul Bocuse, MSc in International Hospitality Management at EMLYON business school. He lists the blossoming Georgian wine tourism industry as one specific example and says that, as investment increases in both the leisure and business hospitality sectors, emerging markets such as Georgia must invest in training the managerial talent to keep pace with the expansion.

The BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - will be at the centre of growth for the hospitality industry in the next decade, according to Catrett.

“We have primarily been seeing growth in the hotel industry. There are two types of hotel - business and resorts. Business hotels in the emerging markets have benefitted from a more stable economic environment. These types of hotels rely on foreign investment into emerging markets that leads business and trade delegations to visit - and they need places to stay! Local people’s increased wealth has led them to invest in hotels to meet this need. And finally, big companies are expanding into new (emerging) markets to maintain growth and this has led also to an increase in business visitors,” said Jeffrey Catrett.

Katie Melua’s Tbilisi: My kind of town

Interview by York Membery

14.04.2014. Katie Melua, the singer, reveals her favourite hotels, bars and restaurants in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital and her childhood home

Why Tbilisi?

It’s where I spent most of my childhood up to the age of nine, before my family and I moved to Britain. Being the capital of Georgia, it’s the country’s cultural centre. It’s also steeped in history – the Old Town, with its twisting alleys, is particularly fascinating – and has some beautiful churches dating back hundreds of years. Unlike London, it’s a very hilly city with the advantage being you can enjoy the most fabulous views from certain points. It’s a city that’s very much off the beaten track. Not many tourists have been there, which makes it all the more worth visiting.

Anything special I should pack?

Probably headache pills and a hangover cure. The Georgians will treat you like royalty, and the odds are you’ll do a lot of eating, drinking and toasting. Being so hilly, good walking shoes are a must. It’s hot and muggy in the summer but very cold in the winter, so pack accordingly. Late spring is a good time to go.

National tourism administration conducts ad campaigns only in five countries

12.04.2014. Marketing campaigns will be conducted only in Germany, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, Austria and Poland this year. At this time it’s unknown whether or not ad campaigns will be conducted in Ukraine due to the current developments there. The total annual budget that will be spent on Georgia’s promotion in the world market amounts to 8 million 900 thousand GEL.

As early as last December, the head of the Administration said that in 2014 Ukraine, Russia and Azerbaijan would be among the leaders of the target groups. The Baltic states, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Israel were considered as the interesting markets as well.

Source

Georgia, WTO discuss cooperation prospects

09.04.2014. Georgia and World Tourism Organization discussed the prospects of cooperation, in particular the creation of joint tourist products.

Georgian Prime Minister met with Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO). Irakli Garibashvili thanked Taleb Rifai for his visit to Tbilisi and expressed the hope that mutual cooperation will soon enter a new phase, Georgian Prime Minister's office told Trend on April 7. "This is very important for Georgia," he added.

The parties discussed the tendencies of tourism development in Georgia and reforms implemented in this area.

Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Georgian economy and its development is a priority for the authorities.

The prospects of cooperation, the creation of common tourism products and technical cooperation issues that the organization offers its members were discussed during the meeting.

Tbilisi International Airport among the best ten airports in Eastern Europe

01.04.2014. Tbilisi International Airport has been named as one of the best airports in Eastern Europe by Skytrax World Airport Awards, the most prestigious accolades for the world airport industry.

Result of a survey of air travelers revealed Tbilisi International Airport was ranked as one of the best ten airports in Eastern Europe of 2014.

The other top nine international airports were: Budapest Ferenc Liszt, Borispol (Kiev), Tallinn, Riga, Bratislava, Belgrade, Sofia, Varna and Burgas.

TAV general manager Mete Erkal believed under the operation of TAV Georgia, Tbilisi International Airport had turned into "one of the most important hubs in Eastern Europe in a very short time”.

"Tbilisi International Airport provides services to more than 1.4 million passengers a year. It was in the result of passenger surveys that Tbilisi International Airport was named as one of the best airports in Eastern Europe,” Erkal said.

IWINETC Day 1 round up: Excitement increases for Georgian wines & tourism

28.03.2014. After a very tense and dangerous bus ride less than two miles from the hotel, only to have to walk the last 100 meters of the way on a side street, our first official visit was to the only wine bar in Tbilisi called Vino Underground Wine Bar & Shop. As its name suggests, this is an underground cellar that was converted into not only a wine bar, but also a small and delightful wine shop that brings to Tbilisi some of the best natural wines of Georgia.

Owned and operated by seven small Georgian wineries, here one can find a wide variety of wines representing the different wine regions of Georgia. The vast majority of wineries of Georgia are very small. But there is a movement for some of these wineries to work together to improve wine quality and awareness.

From traditional Georgian qvevri to western stainless steel styled wines, from fresh and light whites to fuller bodied and savory orange (or amber) wines, our host, John Wurderman and a few of his fellow Georgian wine makers gave us a most well rounded introduction with a very well prepared tasting of Georgian wines to be discovered during the International Wine Tourism Conference in Tbilisi this weekend.

Israeli businessman to build agro-tourism center in Kakheti

22.03.2014 (Hvino TOUR News). Israeli businessman will be engaged in agro-tourism development in Georgia  Abram Tetruashvili stated to Commersant radio that he intends to invest one million USD in agro-tourism development project that will be implemented in the region of Kakheti.

He says that the purchase of farms, hotels and visitors' center construction, production of agricultural products at the site are planned in the region.

Tetruashvili adds they plan to purchase the land where wheat and other crops will be grown. The necessary equipment will be brought from Israel in order to increase production while produced products will be exported . In his words, the agro-tourism center will be deigned mostly for Russian and Israeli tourists. The businessman plans to implement the project in the spring.

© Hvino TOUR News

Georgian Wine Catalogue

Georgian Tourism Administration postpones marketing campaign in Russia

14.03.2014. The Georgian Tourism Administration has postponed a marketing campaign scheduled for March in Russia for an indefinite period. Georgia's marketing campaign was to start in Russia in March.
The promotional clips about Georgia were to be shown in Moscow's cinemas.

The tender was announced on January 31, 2013 to conduct a campaign in Russia, the administration said on March 13. Two Russian companies, namely, Uralska and Initiative participated, but a winner was not determined. "We felt it inappropriate to show promo movies in Moscow's cinemas because of the worsening of the political situation and current events," the administration said. "A decision was taken to suspend the advertising activity and to cancel the campaign. But we assume that this year's certain advertising campaign will be carried out in Russia."

Source

Georgia, Spain sign memorandum on cooperation in tourism sector

13.03.2014. Georgia's Vice Prime Minister - Economy and Sustainable Development Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Spanish Industry, Energy and Tourism Minister, Jose Manuel Soria discussed cooperation in tourism and renewable energy sectors, during Kvirikashvili's visit to Spain.

The parties signed a memorandum of understanding in the tourism area, Georgian Economy and Sustainable Development Ministry said.

"We agreed that a delegation, including Spanish government's and private sector's representatives, will make an official visit to Georgia, during which the strategic cooperation in the tourism sector will be discussed. Spain has very great experience in this area. I believe that our future cooperation will be very interesting," Kvirikashvili said.

Jose Manuel Soria, in turn, said the two countries have plenty room to deepen relations and cooperation.
"This applies to tourism, energy and infrastructure. Today we have formalized a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in tourism. At the same time, together with the Foreign Minister, we are working on an official visit to Georgia. It will include many Spanish companies," Soria added.

Source

Number of Passengers Travelling to Ukraine from Georgia Increased by 34.5% in 2014

11.03.2014. A total of 44,148 passengers departed to Ukraine from Georgia during January-February 2014. The number is 34.5% more than it was during the same period of last year. Ukraine remains the top fifth country in terms of number of arrivals in Georgia. In January 2014, 8,212 international visitors arrived in Georgia, which is 72% more than the data of the previous year.

Monthly comparative figures have shown that the largest number of Georgian passengers travelled to Ukraine in November 2013. The figure was 27,819. In December the number dropped to 25,972. In January 2014, 23,382 passengers travelled to Ukraine and in February - 20,766.

“The number of departures to Ukraine will not decrease in 2014 in comparison to 2013,” said Alexander Gachechiladze, Head of the Transportation Department at the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency (GCAA).

According to Gachechiladze, the total number of flights from Georgia to Ukraine was 26 per week. “1,500 flights will be carried out in the direction of Ukraine during the current year,” said Gachechiladze.

Ukraine International Airlines (MAU) remained the single airline offering Tbilisi -Kiev direct flights, since Aerosvit left the Georgian market more than a year ago. Currently the ticket price for a Tbilisi -Kiev round trip is USD 326, while it is USD 185 for one way.

Georgia features in world leading travel expo

10.03.2014. Georgia’s unique tourism is being showcased alongside 188 other countries at the world’s largest travel and trade fair – the ITB Berlin.

Georgian Tourism industry insiders are eyeing the ITB Berlin 2014 as the opportunity to raise awareness surrounding Georgia’s tourism potential and attracting more international visitors.

The five day high-caliber program featured international tourism industry experts and government representatives, who discussed concepts, best practice examples, and the potential profitability of sustainable tourism.

The Georgian delegation is being led by the head of Georgia’s National Tourism Administration, Giorgi Sigua, who believed this event granted Georgia exclusive rights to present the country through unique guidebooks and brochures.

Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and Bulgaria to create integrated tourism network

27.02.2014. Heifer International Armenia presented today an international program designed to promote innovative rural tourism in the Black Sea basin region. The 700,000 euro worth project supported by the European Union embraces Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and Bulgaria. The program that started in November 2013 will last for 18 months.

"The project will build effective and replicable networks of capable local service providers in rural tourism, as well as will help travel agencies to co-develop market and sell a new unique tourist product that encourages interflows of visitors intra-regionally. It will contribute to unprecedented cooperation between national authorities in the region aimed ultimately to sustaining the cross-border impacts of rural tourism," said Anahit Ghazanchyan, director of the Armenian branch of Heifer Project International.

She explained that a network of travel agencies and other companies will be set up in Armenia that will establish links with similar agencies in the other three countries. The network in Armenia will develop and implement a unique tourist product  called "One tour package for regional visitors ," which will be part of  the  regional tourism product.

Mekhak Apresyan, head of an economy ministry department overseeing tourism industry, said the program will be actively supported by the government."We have potential to develop agro-tourism, when tourists are in agricultural work,’ he said.

Heifer Project International, founded in 1944, aims at reducing global poverty.

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ICC Georgia holds 5th Consultative Board

27.02.2014. Yesterday, 26 February 2014, the National Committee of ICC Georgia held its 5th Consultative Board meeting at The Holiday Inn in Tbilisi.  Mr. Fady Asly, Chairman of ICC, welcomed the members of the ICC Executive, ICC Youth, Consultative boards and special guests.  The program featured a presentation of DCFTA Implementation by Mr. Nikoloz Khundzakishvili, Chairman of the DCFTA Implementation Commission, and included an overview of the economy and investment climate from the perspectives of ICC (Mr. Fady Asly), Business Association Georgia (Dr. Soso Pkhakadze), American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia (Ms. Sarah Williamson), and the Georgian Bar Association (Mr. Zaza Bibliashvili).  Ms. Teona Lavrelashvili, Chairwoman of the Youth Parliament and ex officio, ICC board member, remarked on the highlights of her trip to the United Nations in New York and US State Department and Congress in Washington, D.C., partially organized by ICC Georgia. Following the presentations, the Consultative Board had the opportunity for questions and remarks.

Afterwards, a reception in honor of the Consultative Board was held with attendees including ICC youth members, partners from the business sector, distinguished guests and the diplomatic corps. The reception was opened by the Honorable Bruno Balvanera, Regional Director of the EBRD, who provided a summary of the ICC’s Consultative Board Meeting.  Mr. Fady Asly, Chairman of ICC Georgia introduced the newest Consultative Board member, H.E. Mr. Z. Levent Gümrükçü, Ambassador of Turkey.

Tskaltubo Spa Resort to become the hub of medical tourism

24.02.2014. Tskaltubo spa resort in western part of Georgia is cited to become region’s medical tourism hub.

Following a visit to the self-described healing centre, Georgia National Tourism Administration (GNTA) head Giorgi Sigua said medical tourism development in Georgia was a main priority of the Government in the next few years. GNTA is responsible for tourism development policy in the country.

Sigua said it had realized only 5% of Tskaltubo’s medical tourism potential, and only one hotel out of 22 accommodation suppliers was currently operating, when preciously, they were all in full use.

"The health characteristics of the mineral springs of warm Radon waters, the unique climate, the Kutaisi International Airport located 20km from the resort and infrastructure projects implemented following financial support from the World Bank, [encourages us to believe] Tskaltubo will regain its past attractiveness and become the medical hub of the region,” Sigua said.

"Aeroflot" Returns to Georgia

20.02.2014 (Hvino TOUR News). Negotiations between Tbilisi airport operator TAV Georgia  and Russian airline Aeroflot completed successfully. Russian aviation giant will start service in Georgia in April.

It is assumed that the flights will be operated every day. The company will carry them on Airbus A 320.

In early January, Aeroflot said that the company's entry to the Georgian market is questionable and the final decision is still pending. As a result of negotiations with the Georgian side, eventually the issue was resolved positively. Aeroflot stopped service to Georgia after the 2008 war.

© Hvino TOUR News

Georgia’s qvevri wine trending in America

by Tamar Khurtsia

19.02.2014. A new trend is emerging in America – to drink orange wine, which is a special Georgian ghvino variation. Georgian woman Vera Person Sagareishvili, who is the managing director of Corporate Accounts at Panorama Travel (a New York-based travel agency), believes more Americans could enjoy Georgia’s Qvevri wine but the product needs to promote this most cherished wine-making method among them.

Pearson Sagareishvili emigrated to the United States of America 18 years ago. Within her role with Panorama Travel, she closely works with the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA), a Governmental body responsible to develop tourism and attract American tourists to Georgia.

Agenda.ge interviewed Vera Pearson Sagareishvili and asked her about Georgia’s developing hospitality sector, the major challenges within the industry, the characteristics of American travelers and what attracts them to Georgia.

Georgia to resume financing the country’s promotion in 2014

18.02.2014. In 2014, Georgia will participate in 18 international exhibitions and will spend GEL 9 million on marketing activities across 12 different countries. The budget of Georgia’s main tourism agency increased twofold compared to 2013 amounting to GEL 12,653,000 this year. Countries where marketing campaigns are planned include parts of Western Europe and the former USSR.

“By 2035 Europe’s public debt is expected to be 135% of the GDP in countries around the world. That means that they will not have enough money to invest in everything they want. Can the Government afford to pay for tourism infrastructure anymore?” asks Andrew Coxshall, Managing Partner of KPMG in Georgia and Armenia.

“Everyone sees that public debt has not hampered financing of the tourism sector and Georgia does not face such a risk in the foreseeable future,” said Giorgi Sigua, head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration. “There are good examples of such tourism destinations as Great Britain, Germany and France, where they have large amounts of public debt, still allocating enough money to finance tourism development,” Sigua commented.

International wine tourism conference has its sights set on Georgia, Sakartvelo

by Terry Sullivan

Wine tourism is becoming more defined as people become aware of the vast number of wine regions throughout the world. Even with this increased perception amongst wine travelers, it is not uncommon to hear, “I didn’t know they made wine there.” I’ve heard this many times about the country Georgia, the site for the sixth International Wine Tourism Conference (IWINETC). The conference takes place in Tbilisi March 29th and 30th. Why would an international conference choose a country to host an event that many people do not even know where it is located?

The country Georgia is an obvious choice for a wine tourism conference. Many people who drink wine will at least occasionally think about the wine, the grapes, the producer, the vineyards, the wine region and perhaps the history of the region. Some may observe the wine in a glass and ponder, “Where was wine first made?” The answer lies in the country Georgia. Wine has been continuously produced in Georgia for 8,000 years. That is thousands of years before wines were produced in Greece, Italy and France. Grapes were cultivated in Georgia for thousands of years. The country has a most impressive wine history. What does it offer wine tourists?

"Georgia is the Country of Life" is the new tourism slogan

12.02.2014 (Hvino TOUR News). The National Tourism Administration launches the newest tourism slogan “Georgia is a country of life", according to the Head of the National Tourism Administration Giorgi Sigua. He says that Georgia is a country that offers tourists the best local cuisine, wine and nature. He notes that we can offer a lot of activities that attract tourists.

Sigua claims that the Administration expects a 18 percent growth of tourists in 2014. This means that more than 6 million international visitors will visit Georgia. Sigua adds, however, there is still a lot of work to do. For example, Georgia should develop hotels.

In Sigua’s words, in 2014 the administration will spend 8.9 million GEL for marketing activities to strengthen the positive image of Georgia. This is almost three times more than was spent in 2013. Sigua explains that the ads will be launched in 12 countries. These are Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland, Austria , the Netherlands, Azerbaijan and so on. A total of 4.5 million GEL will be spent for this purpose. He informs that around 2 million GEL will be spent for participation in international exhibitions. Half a million will be spent to bring foreign journalists to Georgia.

Levan Koberidze, head of Branding.ge, calls the Administration's slogan "a little unclear", claiming why Georgia is the country of life and not, for example, Japan or Croatia. Koberidze notes that it can be specified in the concept, but at this point it's unclear.

© Hvino TOUR News

Armenia, Georgia to sign new agreement to resume cooperating in tourism

09.02.2014. Armenian government approved Thursday signing of an agreement with Georgian government for cooperation in tourism area.

Armenian Economy Minister Vahram Avanesyan, presenting the matter to other ministers at today’s Cabinet meeting, said the countries governments signed a similar agreement in 1993 for ten years.

“The agreement term has already expired and in fact, by signing this new agreement we resume our cooperation with Georgia in tourism area,” he said.

According to Georgia’s interior ministry, some 1.28 million Armenian citizens visited Georgia in 2013. Armenia is the second largest provider of travelers to Georgia.

Source 

Georgia and Armenia: a spiritual journey ("The Telegraph")

by Peter Hughes

08.02.2014. In the unfamiliar, stricken landscape of Georgia and Armenia, Peter Hughes satisfies his thirst for spiritual history among a surprising wealth of significant sacred sites.

For the people who live there, the upheavals in the Middle East have been disastrous. But for travellers they have also placed many of the region’s great archaeological sites out of bounds, leaving big blanks in the atlas of cultural tours.

Yet one site’s quarantine is another’s discovery, and holidaymakers in need of their annual history fix are casting around for new lands and new epochs for their edification. It was in that prospecting spirit that I went to Transcaucasia and the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Georgia. They were two countries that hitherto had not loomed large on my list of places to go. I was wrong.

122 714 tourists arrived to Georgia in January

06.02.2014. In January 2014, 319 400 tourists crossed border of Georgia. Growth is mentioned in comparison with December (391 724 visitors) - 6% reduction was mentioned in December.

Ministry of Internal Affairs informs that in comparison with the same period of last year growth is 14,1%  (280 023).

Like in previous months, in the reporting period majority of the visitors - 96 434 persons crossed border from Turkey, although growth is negative.

Out of the total number of the visitors 122 714 are tourists, 53 241 - transit passengers.

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IWINETC in Tbilisi offers special discounts

05.02.2014. IWINETC 2014, the International meeting place for the wine and culinary tourism industry has announced a range of special offers and discounts for all attendees of the event, which will take place in Tbilisi Marriott, Georgia from 29 – 30 March 2014. Discounts available here.

Participants of IWINETC will also be able to take advantage of discounted accommodation during their time in Tbilisi. Attendees can secure reduced rates at the both the Tbilisi Marriott and the nearby Courtyard Marriott.

To find out more about the benefits of attending IWINETC 2014 as a conference delegate and to register, please visit www.iwinetc.com.

Tour operators or travel agents specialized in wine and culinary tourism or considering adding this lucrative product to their portfolio could be eligible to attend IWINETC as an Invited Buyer. To find out more, please view the info for the Wine Tourism Meet Up and Fam Trip.

Georgia Spent $1,000 on country’s promotion in 2013

04.02.2014. The Georgian Government spent nothing on advertising campaigns in the second half of 2013. The sum spent on this direction in the first half of 2013 amounted to GEL 1,870. In 2010, 225 international publications reported on Georgia. By comparison, the figure was 59 in 2013. Experts involved in PR consulting suggest that officials keep up a constant promotional campaign in order to ensure their own as well as the country’s reputation.

The number of tourists visiting Georgia increased by 21% in 2013 compared to the previous year. The total number of visitors last year was 5,365,356, up from 4,428,221 in 2012. The number of tourists has been increasing for the last 5 years thanks to significant investments in the tourism sector, especially in hotels and the infrastructure of the Black Sea and mountain resorts. But experts believe the recent tendency of reducing the amount of advertising of the country will worsen the situation again.

“The support of foreign media is important for the country’s image. The reduction in the number of articles will impact on the awareness of the country internationally,” Givi Khachapuridze, Director at PR Consulting Group, told The Financial. “Considering the political factor, radical forces will get the opportunity to evoke negative information about the Government. The decreased coverage in international publications has already become an obstacle for the Government and the country’s image,” Khachapuridze believes.

Georgia participates in the international tourist exhibition „FITOUR 2014"

25.01.2014. From January 22, 24 to January 26 National Tourism Administration of Georgia participates in the international tourism exhibition-fair „FITUR 2014" in Madrid, Spain.

Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development informs that the exhibition is one of the large-scale ones in the world, 10 644 companies of 166 countries participate in it. 7 532 journalists attend it and it has about 124 700 visitors. Georgia participates in this exhibition for the 7th year.

In addition to National Tourism Administration, stand of Georgia will also include following companies: Visit Georgia, Georgica Travel, Georgian Discovery Tours, Caucasus Travel and Concord Travel.

Spain is one of the target tourism markets for Georgia. According to statistic, from 2013 to 2013 (data of 11 months 2013) number of tourists increased by 26% from Spain.

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Discover Georgia in Denmark

Ambassador Nikoloz Rtveliashvili, Director of 

Discover Georgia Nino Kekelidze and Tamar 

Kakhidze, Georgian Tourism National 

Administration

24.01.2014. On January 17-19 Copenhagen hosted the Ferie and Fritid travel fair, at which, alongside other holiday and leisure industry representatives from around the world, the Georgian tourism company Discover Georgia was represented. The Georgian company presented to the fair visitors with all kinds of tours throughout Georgia including sea, mountain, wine, and biking tours.

The fair was attended by the Georgian Ambassador in Denmark Nikoloz Rtveliashvili. According to him, the number of visitors from Denmark to Georgia is increasing year to year. According to the official data in 2011, 1,500 tourists visited Georgia, in 2012 – 2,200 tourists. The ambassador says that there is no official information for 2013 regarding the number of tourists, although he is sure that their number is even more than in 2012.

Director of Discover Georgia Nino Kekelidze believes that this fair will bring success to her company and attract more tourists from Denmark and its neighboring countries to Georgia.

Georgia to open new winter resort Tetnuldi by 2016

03.01.2014. A new winter resort is expected to be opened by 2016 in Georgia’s mountainous region of Svaneti. The resort, worth 40 million and co-financed by the French government, will be located on Tetnuldi, a prominent mountain peak situated in the central part of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, in Svaneti. GEL 40 million will be allocated for this from the Georgian state.

Construction of the ski resort “Tetnuldi” is planned to be finished by 2016. At this stage, according to the agreement between the state and Pomagalski company, the French partners should provide the project with 3 rope-ways, according to the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia.

The French Government allocated EUR 18 million for this project as a loan to the Georgian Government. From the Georgian side GEL 40 million will be allocated for this project in the future.

With 100% participation from the Government’s side the Tetnuldi Development company was created to supervise the development of the Tetnuldi project. The main mission of this company consists of implementing the design and construction works. At this stage there are design works in progress, which are being carried out by Ltd Geographic ordered by Tetnuldi Development. After the works will be finished an international tender will be announced for principal construction works, according to the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia.