Friday, October 31, 2014

ADB presents Georgia as regional hub and gateway to Europe

31.10.2014. An International Investment Forum “Georgia – Regional Hub and Asia’s Gateway to Europe” took place in Tbilisi on October 29-30, jointly organized by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Forum, held at the hotel Radisson Blu Iveria, hosted over 300 guests from diverse sectors and countries, ranging from private, international and domestic companies to large international business associations, including the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia (AmCham Georgia), the largest international business association in Georgia, with up to 160 members.

Irakli Gharibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, officially opened the Forum saying “Georgia is a rapidly developing democratic country with one of the world’s most attractive business climates, liberal trade, low taxes and strategic location that have turned thr country into the new regional frontier for investment opportunities.”

The PM, in his speech Why Georgia Matters, emphasized Georgia’s role in the region and the importance of the recently signed Association Agreement with the EU, as well as the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area/Agreement (DCFTA), which “opens vast opportunities” for Georgia while turning it into an increasingly important business center in the region.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Tourism and rural development: The case of Tusheti

by Irakli Kochlamazashvili and Adam Pellillo, ISET

24.10.2014. In Georgia, it’s often said that tavisupleba mxolod mtebshia – freedom is only in the mountains. Indeed, the mountains have long shielded the small Georgian nation from much larger invaders, helping it maintain its freedom, as well as its unique culture, language and faith.

Even today, getting into Georgia’s mountains is no easy task. Separated from the ‘mainland’ by the 3,000m high Abano pass, Tusheti, is an excellent case in point. The sheer ‘outworldliness’ of Tusheti, as well as its well-preserved indigenous traditions and architecture, are a powerful motivator for many Georgians and international visitors alike to undertake the bumpy excursion to Omalo (and beyond).

The number of visitors to Tusheti has been growing quite rapidly in recent years, raising an important policy dilemma: what is the “optimal” level of development for this wild region of Georgia? On the one hand, tourism is strengthening the local economy by providing locals with an additional source of income. On the other hand, the arrival of 21 century invaders (in the shape of tourist ‘armies’) will undoubtedly strain the local infrastructure, requiring significant investment in roads, water supply and other utilities. Too much investment may strip Tusheti of its uniqueness. Too little of it may carry risks for health and the environment.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Inside natural wine’s new Eurasian boomtown

Photo: Krzystof Duda
By Alice Feiring

13.10.2014. Over the last decade, the Republic of Georgia—one of the world's oldest winemaking countries—has become an unlikely darling of the natural wine community. Alice Feiring visits the small hilltop town that's become ground zero for the rebirth of traditional Georgian winemaking.

When I told people that I was traveling to Georgia to learn more about their wine, the response was, invariably, a look of confusion. “Are there vineyards near Atlanta?”

“The country of,” I’d say. Then I’d clarify, “Bordered by the Caucasus mountain range, not the Blue Ridge.”

“Really? They make wine there?”

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Analogue to booking.com to be created in Georgia

12.10.2014. In the near future, a website similar to an international tourist web portal booking.com will appear in Georgia, which will give visitors the opportunity to book accommodation before arrival in the country.

This initiative belongs to the recently established Georgian Hotel and Restaurant Federation.

Experts welcome the establishment of such an association and believe that it should play the role of mediator between the government and the tourist industry. According to them, in order tourism business to develop successfully, it is necessary to streamline the tax system and labor laws.

"The government should look at private business as a partner and not an enemy or a cash cow. The Hotel and Restaurants should actively work in this direction, "- experts say.

According to the Federation, its function is to be a bridge between the government and the tourist industry - in particular, in their opinion, a classification of hotels and equal attention is required to large branded hotels as well as to small home-like hotels and hostels.

One of the founders of the Association Shalva Alaverdashvili says that there is a need to improve the quality of services in the tourism sector.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Georgia improves visa policy

09.10.2014. Georgia has decided to bring some corrections to its newly amended visa policy in an effort to keep the right balance between the European Union's requirements and liberal approaches.

Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said the new regulations need some corrections. "Of course, everything new brings certain complications. Not everything can end up as we planned, nevertheless, we know where the weak points are," Panjikidze noted.

The Georgian government has recently amended the law "On the legal status of foreigners and stateless persons", which enacted on September 1. The renewed legislation particularly reduced the period for the foreigners' visa-free stay in the country's territory.

The updated visa regulations enabled Georgia to issue multiple-entry visas with a period of 180 days for the citizens of the countries which apply a visa regime with the South Caucasus country. It also allows the visa holder to stay for a total of 90 days within a period of 180 days in Georgia's territory.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Number of tourists increased by 1% in summer

06.10.2014. This summer (June, July, August), the number of tourists (international travelers staying in Georgia for 24 hours and more) amounted to 892 413 that is 13% (789 958) more than last year's figure. As for international visitors, their number was 1 895 060 in the current year, which is 1% (1 880 515) higher than last summer season (June, July, August) .

In 8 months of 2014, the number of tourists amounted to 1 566 646 (42.5% of the total number, an increase of 12% compared to the same period of the previous year); transit - 698 284 visits (19% of the total number, a 10% decline compared with the previous year's figure); other - 1 420 904 visits (38.5% of the total number, an increase of 0.7% over the same period of the previous year).

In August 2014, the largest number of visitors arrived from Turkey (-5.5%), Azerbaijan (+29%), Armenia (-12,2%), Russia (-7%) and Ukraine (+ 22.9%). Also, the positive trend is maintained in terms of the EU states in January-August, including Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Latvia and the Netherlands (respectively 91%, 40%, 17%, 17%, and 14%), Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan (40%), while fromthe Eastern European countries , for example, Belarus the number of visitors increased by 50%.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

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.

Monday, September 22, 2014

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      
 To add this Search Box to your website,  click  here. Many designs are available.

Monday, September 8, 2014

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.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

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.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

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.

Monday, August 11, 2014

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."

Friday, August 8, 2014

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.”

Monday, August 4, 2014

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

Friday, August 1, 2014

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

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

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      
 To add this Search Box to your website,  click  here. Many designs are available.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

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.”

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

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      
 To add this Search Box to your website,  click  here. Many designs are available.