Let tourists arrive and Georgia thrive!

24.04.2015. The contribution of tourism to world gross domestic product (GDP) is just 3%, and the economies of countries where tourism accounts for a big share of the GDP often perform poorly. The most notorious case is Greece, where in 2011 tourism generated 18% of GDP ($15 billion dollars in absolute terms), and whose economy is, as everyone knows, totally on the skids. Another example is Spain – while being struck disastrously by the European economic crisis, the country can boast the second highest tourism revenues in the world, amounting to $60.4 billion dollars in 2013 (or about 6% of Spanish GDP).

Even if one disregards that tourism-centered economies are often weak, the absolute size of the tourism contributions are not that impressive. Economists typically talk about billions of dollars, sometimes about trillions, like astronomers talk about light years – so what the heck is so exciting about $60.4 billion? In 2012, the Spanish telecommunications provider Telefonica, one single company, generated revenues of about $85 billion, almost $25 billion more than Spain’s entire tourism sector. And this turnover was generated with just 275,000 employees, whereas 2 million Spaniards are working in tourism. Interpreting these numbers is hazy, because we do not know what value is added by the Telefonica personnel (portions of the revenues, both in tourism and in telecommunications, account for preliminary products), but there can be no doubt that production (and hence average incomes) in telecommunications are much higher than in tourism.

Greek low-cost airline Ellinair announces Georgia flights

23.04.2015. New flights from Georgia to some of the world’s most exotic destinations are ahead as more airline companies pledge to enter the Georgian aviation market.

Several low-cost airlines recently announced to begin flights into and out of Georgia; first Pegasus Airlines of Turkey and today Ellinair of Greece.

The Greek low-cost airline said it would begin flights to Georgia from June 8, allowing passengers to use the Georgia-Greece route once per week.

Ellinair, based at Macedonia International Airport, addressed Georgia’s Civil Aviation Agency on April 7, 2015 and asked permission to launch direct flights between Georgia and Greece.

Meanwhile, after the winter season break, Israel’s Israir Airlines has returned to the Georgian air market. The company’s first flight this summer season was performed on April 2 between Tbilisi and Tel Aviv, Israel. The arriving flight to Georgia, an A320 aircraft, brought 174 passengers to Tbilisi – all of whom were tourists, announced Georgia’s Ministry of Economy.

London fair showcases traditional Georgian food, wine

22.04.2015. Londoners interested in tasting food from foreign lands are invited to attend a special fair in central London this weekend.

The Duke of York Square Saturday Market is hosting an event called Taste Georgia on Saturday, which will offer Georgian national wine, traditional meals such askhinkali, khachapuri and bread baked in a circular clay oven called tone.

"Go along and learn more about unique Georgian food and wine and taste some of the traditional Georgian dishes in pop-up restaurants,” said the British Embassy in Tbilisi in a statement.

Taste Georgia will start at 10am and continue until 6pm. The event is being organised by Enterprise Georgia in cooperation with the British Georgian Chamber of Commerce, Georgia’s Embassy to the United Kingdom and the British Embassy in Tbilisi.

As well as tasting Georgian food and wine, visitors will also be able to talk with Georgia’s British population and learn more about the ancient country and culture.

Source

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“Unsung corner of the planet”: Georgia in National Geographic's list of best tours

13.04.2015. The National Geographic published list of Best Tours in Europe in its Traveler Magazine's 2015 Tours of a Lifetime. Along with Italy, France, Croatia, Switzerland, Scotland, and others, the list also includes Georgia - particularly Alaverdi, Kakheti region.

"Monks at the ancient Alaverdi Monastery still ferment wine the way their order has for a millennium, in earthenware vessels buried in the ground. Taste the fruits of their labor on a culinary odyssey led by Max Johnson, the travel outfitter’s founder, whose passion for this unsung corner of the planet is contagious", - the article in The National Geographic reads.

Georgian Economy minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili discussed this news with the media. “I want to share some very good news with you... The decision to include Georgia into the top tourism destinations has already been made by the National Geographic Traveler and in my opinion this will help Georgia to develop its tourism industry and to improve the country’s image among world travellers.”

National Geographic Traveler is a magazine that launched in 1984 by the National Geographic Society in the United States. It is one of the most popular travel media in the world and is published in 20 countries in ten languages.

Hilton: Georgia needs a 5-year tourism development plan

Interview with Stuart Nelson, General Manager at Hilton Batumi

What are your expectations after the opening of the “Hilton“  hotel  in Batumi ? What are your plans in this regard?

I would be happy to say that after the opening of the hotel will be able to rest, but alas, it will not work – we will continue to develop, conduct training, correct any flaws with one main purpose – to meet the needs of our guests, and even exceed them.

Batumi and  Georgia as a whole  is a very good new market for “Hilton”. In Georgia, there are a lot of very positive and interesting traditions – hospitality, wine, delicious cuisine, so we will do everything in order to develop them, so that a new and exciting time awaits us.

We have a lot of plans, but still I cannot talk about them in detail. For example, we intend to open a Georgian restaurant, the products for which we’ll  buy from local farmers.

And it is  just the beginning.

Wizz Air in-flight magazine features Georgian wine

05.04.2015 (Hvino News). WIZZ is the in-flight magazine published by Hungarian airline Wizz Air. In its recent issues WIZZ Magazine published articles related to Georgia: "Georgia: Here Wine Lives" (in February's issue) and "Georgia is on our minds" (in April's issue).

The article on Georgian wine by Sarah May Grunwald reads: "It's at the Georgian table that travelers truly experience Georgian culture. It's the link they share today with their Neolithic ancestors. Drinking Georgian wine is remembering our collective past".

The article, marked as promotion, is important for reaching to the passengers of Wizz Air - the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe. Readership of its in-flight magazine is assessed as up to 2.8 million readers, for every issue. WIZZ Magazine is placed onboard flights to more than 96 destinations on more than 300 routes.

Wizz Air serves several flights connecting Georgia's Kutaisi airport with East European cities, including Budapest, Vilnius, and Kiev.

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"The New York Times": Mountains, monasteries and plenty of wine

by Genevieve Helliwell

30.03.2015. In recent edition of  The New York Times, self-described ‘Frugal Traveler’ Seth Kugel has written about his unique experience in Georgia – from his stay with a local guesthouse to sampling Georgian wine from traditional qvevri (clay pots), eating an abundance of delicious food and being taken on personal tours visiting monasteries and vineyards in Georgia’s Kakheti wine region.

Published in the Travel section of The New York Times online and print editions, Kugel’s piece lovingly describes the friendliness of the Georgian people, the magnificence of ancient churches and the affordability of his Georgian adventure – essential for any frugal traveler, he says.

My visit to Georgia was in the off-season — often a great way to save, of course. But it turns out that the ancient Christian land and former Soviet republic is an amazingly cheap place to go year-round, perfect for frugal travelers who like their bumpy bus rides to end with quality meals and private rooms. With that you get the mountain villages, historic towns, centuries-old monasteries, an intriguing cuisine and lots of good, affordable wine (often less than $10 for a decent bottle on restaurant menus).”

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"Travel Weekly": Drinking in Georgia's rustic charms

by Felicity Long

20.03.2015. You would never have known it was 3 a.m. in Georgia's Tbilisi Airport when our Lufthansa plane landed. Flights were arriving and departing, passport control was packed and the airport was brightly lit.

In fact, most air service in and out of Georgia takes place in the middle of the night, and locals are clearly used to these arrivals, for, like the airport, the Holiday Inn Tbilisi was fully staffed and busy when I checked in.

Admittedly, these quirky arrival times, along with a few other drawbacks we encountered in the days to follow such as long stretches of roads without basic amenities and an unsophisticated tourism infrastructure, could be an issue for the casual or inexperienced Europe visitor.

For the right traveler, however, these inconveniences are minor in return for what Georgia has to offer: ancient castles and churches as beautiful as anything in Italy and France, but without the crowds; a wine culture of increasing international renown; a stellar cuisine; and a warm reception from locals, who seem to have hospitality in their DNA.

"We know this is an unusual trip," said Max Johnson, founder and head of product development for the Great Canadian Travel Co., which, together with the Georgian National Tourism Administration and Living Roots, an inbound travel company, arranged the itinerary.

"We know travel agents may have only one or two clients who are looking for new, interesting programs like this, and we focus on them," he said.

Wine culture

The biggest draw for most of us, and the reason Georgia is slowly making its way onto mainstream radar, is its wine, which we sampled during a prelunch wine tasting at Vino-Underground, a wine cellar in Tbilisi.

Georgian Airways to resume flights to Saint Petersburg, Samara and Vladikavkaz

19.03.2015. Georgian Airways plans to resume direct flights to Saint Petersburg, Samara and Vladikavkaz in April-May. A related bid was sent to the Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia, TASS reports.According to preliminary information, flights to Samara will be made four times a week, to Saint Petersburg two times a week, to Vladikavkaz once a week.Georgian Airways says that flights to Saint Petersburg and Samara were of high demand in the past

Georgian Airways plans to resume direct flights to Saint Petersburg, Samara and Vladikavkaz in April-May. A related bid was sent to the Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia.

According to preliminary information, flights to Samara will be made four times a week, to Saint Petersburg two times a week, to Vladikavkaz once a week.

Georgian Airways says that flights to Saint Petersburg and Samara were in high demand in the past.

Source

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Georgia's Mestia among "50 Unpredictable And Non-Clichéd Places To Travel To"

18.03.2015 (Hvino News). The Elite Daily website published a list of "50 Unpredictable And Non-Clichéd Places To Travel To In Your 20-s". Mestia from the mountainous region of Svaneti is one of the destinations mentioned in the Elite Daily's list.

“Mestia is an isolated town located in Northern Georgia, but it’s completely worth the visit. Drink Georgian wine, hike to a glacier, mingle with the locals and experience the epic beauty of the Caucasus mountains”, this is how the website describes the place. ....The hidden gems of the world are becoming hot spots for tourists — so all the more reason to visit these places sooner rather than later", - noted the author John Haltiwanger.

Among other "non-clichéd" places to travel, Elite Daily lists Yerevan (Armenia) and Kazan (Russia).

Elite Daily proclaims itself to be the voice of so-called Generation-Y (people born after 1980). Founded in 2012, this news website quickly reached  huge popularity of 40 million monthly unique visitors.

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Georgia beckons Malaysian travellers

14.03.2015. Although Malaysians are not well aware of the tourism potential of Georgia, a former Soviet Union state, its charge d’affaires ad interim Levan Machavariani is optimistic that a slew of tourism-related programmes to be held this year will entice more Malaysians to visit the country.

He said last year, Georgia received over five million foreign visitors, more than its population of 4.5 million, but only about 700 Malaysians visited the country.

“Last year, we had a little over 700 Malaysian visitors coming to Georgia, which was actually an increase in comparison to the previous years, but I believe it can be further improved and we are working towards it,” he told in a recent interview held at the news agency’s headquarters.

To entice Malaysians to visit Georgia, which is home to over 10,000 monuments of archeology, history, architecture and art since two million years ago, the embassy has planned a number of events including taking part in the European (Europe) Cinema under the European Union National Institute for Culture (EUNIC) project and in International Cinema Festival to be held in Kota Kinabalu in June.

Georgian wine heritage presentation at Berlin travel show

13.03.2015 (Hvino News) On March 7 the Georgian wine heritage presentation was held at ITB Berlin - the world’s leading travel show. Unique qvevri wine-making method, prehistoric wine artifacts, as well as longest and unbroken wine culture facts were presented by Davit Jishkariani, member of Georgian Wine Club. The event was supported by Georgian Experience and Georgian National Travel Agency. Presentation was followed by tasting of  Alaverdi Monastery wines.

ITB visitors, wine tourism professionals as well as students from Faculty of Tourism studies at University Primorska (Slovenia) attended the event.

"Interest was quite high, especially from the tourism management students from Primorska University. Generally, we should better promote our unique wine tourism potential", - noted Davit Jishkariani.

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Georgia’s wine region twins with Egypt’s Luxor

11.03.2015. Kakheti - Georgia’s oldest region and the homeland of Georgian wine has formed a close bond with the Egyptian city of Luxor, which was once the capital of the nation.

An agreement to recognize Kakheti and Luxor as twin regions, which emphasized bilateral collaboration in tourism, cultural and agricultural sectors, was signed yesterday.

Luxor, formerly an ancient Egyptian capital, is today known as the world's greatest open-air museum. The area boasts a range of historic scenery and ancient temples including the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, the majestic temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor, and various cruises along the Nile.

The Egyptian side noted thousands of tourists from all around the world arrive annually to visit these monuments, contributing greatly to the economy of the modern city.

Meanwhile Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region is the country’s top wine-producing region.

Kakheti is also rich in history and was an independent or semi-independent kingdom for long periods. With lots of historical places and beautiful churches, castles and mansions, Kakheti is an attractive destination, said the Georgian side.

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Georgia takes action to attract more Chinese visitors

10.03.2015. Developing tourism between Georgia and China is in focus at a meeting between representatives of the two countries today.

Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who is paying a working visit to China, met the chairman of China’s National Tourism Administration Li Jinzao earlier today.

There Kvirikashvili said Georgia wanted to create more opportunities to develop Georgia-China tourism, and to do this, the country would prepare the special offers for Chinese tourism operators.

"We will design special financial packages that will contribute to tourism development between Georgia and China. Georgia uses the same mechanisms for Kutaisi International Airport, which aims to support Wizz Air Hungary airlines flights,” Kvirikashvili said.

The sides also discussed the possibility of developing direct flights between Georgia and China.

How can Georgia improve?

by  Dimitri Shvelidze

02.03.2015. It is not news that many counties build their economy and strategy mainly on tourism. The hospitality sector plays a huge role in a country’s further development and assists in changing its essence - moving from the developing country’s ‘list’ to the developed.  Georgia’s strategy and vector is mainly correct but the country still needs improvements in many areas.

The main factor is that tourism in Georgia should be boosted in numerous ways and supported by the appropriate agencies, ministries and officials. Our country, despite being very small and suffering from territorial problems, is rich in nature and beauty: rivers, ponds, deserts, mountains, seaside and ski resorts, hills, forests, rich history and cultural heritage - that can all be actively used and must be, in fact.  Currently it seems that there is no clear strategy on where and how our country can be advertised. If such a plan exists, we are not aware of it and then it is a problem of internal communication or maybe a lack of information.  I would like to create a small list of what can be done in order to make international business travelers, investors or tourists interested in our country:

a)    Advertisement - Georgia used to have nice ads that were actively distributed in many EU countries. I consider this practice necessary to be continued, though expanding the area of distribution. Currently Georgia could be very interesting for the U.S., the central and eastern part of the EU, and our neighbors (mindful of the conflict in the north though). An international ad team can also be hired and would be proved to be a worthy investment.

Tbilisi's new boutique hotel The Terrace opens tomorrow

13.02.2015 (Hvino News). Tbilisi's new boutique hotel The Terrace opens tomorrow at 7, Polikarpe Kakabadze Street.

The hotel belongs to Maia Sidamonidze, former head of Georgia's Tourism Administration.

Thanks to prestigeous Mtatsminda hill location, hotel's guests will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of Tbilisi. The 4-star hotel has 26 rooms, a restaurant offering Georgian traditional cuisine, and a conference hall.

The project investment amounted to 1 million US dollars. Rooms rates start from US $80, and booking will begin soon.

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Flights to Spain and Germany may be performed from Kutaisi airport

11.02.2015.  (Hvino TOUR  News) In 2014, the number of passengers carried on regular and charter flights from Georgia’s four airports amounted to 2 million people. This figure has increased by 9.5% compared to 2013.

During the reporting period, the Tbilisi international airport served 1 575 million passengers. This figure has increased by 9.7% compared to 2013.

Batumi International Airport handled 213.439 passengers, which is increased by 2.15%. Mestia airport served 1 343 people, which is 51.75% more than in the previous year.

As for the Kutaisi international airport, in total 218 thousand passengers were carried on regular and charter flights that is 16% more. Georgian Commersant FM radio spoke about the Kutaisi international airport’s operation with Ketevan Aleksidze, Georgian Airports Union's director.

She says that 2014 was extremely successful for the Kutaisi international airport. Two new destinations were added - Vilnius and Budapest, as well as current directions were maintained. In total, 218 000 passengers were handled throughout the year.

Bulgaria simplifies tourist visa procedure for Georgians

10.02.2015. (Hvino News). Tourism and Foreign Ministers agreed to simplify tourist visa procedures for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Georgia.

The measure is aimed at boosting visitor numbers from traditional markets such as the former Soviet countries, according to the press office of Bulgaria’s Tourism Ministry.

It is also part of a campaign aimed at countering the downward trend in early bookings from these countries for the 2015 summer season.

The new regime envisages the issuance of short-term double-entry and multiple-entry visas for organized trips.

This type of visa has a validity period of up to one year and is available to citizens who have already used Bulgarian visas.

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Vinotel: Wine and hotel

04.02.2015. If we say that Georgia is the cradle of wine-making, from the beginning, it should mean the considerable attempt of enlarging the wine education and promoting among consumers to obtain the right approach to the wine culture. All this will be very helpful proper to display the Georgian culture and traditions to a foreign guest.

On January 30th the list of high class wine locations was enriched with an interesting place, the Hotel Vinotel, which is located in the center of Tbilisi, at #4 Elene Akhvlediani Street. The hotel location as well as its functional design is a part of a vivid concept and a kind of guarantee for the successful business project. While having an insight into the vision of idea authors and founders, it becomes clear that this business, is rather sophisticated and firm will of popularizing the Georgian wine and the Georgian culture in general.

There is almost everything in the hotel that might give to a foreign tourist a good perspective of the authentic Tbilisi. The concept of the project aims to blend the 19th century Tbilisi spirit with the natural winemaking and slow food philosophy. Antique and handmade furniture, walls and ceiling decorated by hand try the best in creating a very comfy and natural environment.

Georgia joins world’s biggest Tourism Trade Fair

02.02.2015. Georgia’s the most significant places and uniqueness of ancient culture were displayed to millions of people at Spain’s leading Tourism Trade Show.

Ten Georgian tourism agencies were took part among more than 9 000 companies from 169 countries at the FITUR 2015, International Tourism Fair in Madrid. For Georgia it is the eighth year of participation in the exhibition.

9,107 companies and more than 200,000 visitors from around the world were presented at the World's biggest tourism fair.
Spain is one of the target markets for Georgia. To compare visitors statistics in 2013, tourist arrivals from Spain to Georgia increased by 14 percent in 2014.

Within the international tourism fair Head of Georgia’s Tourism Administration Giorgi Chogovadze met with Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Taleb Rifai. At the meeting the pairs discussed cooperation issues between Georgia and the World Tourism Organisation.

"I was in Georgia three times, but even ten is not enough. At the small territories the mountains, the sea and diverse relief are gathered. But your nation is unique, everyone is ready to talk with you and treat you with great hospitality,” Taleb Rifai said.

FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair held in Madrid from January 28 to February 1.

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E-visa facility launching in Georgia

29.01.2015. In a move which will give a major boost to the tourism sector, the Georgian Government will launch the electronic visa (e-visa) facility from February, 2015, announced the Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

This initiative is part of the strategy which the Government’s economic team set in order to maintain the long-term stability of the GEL. The measures are about encouraging export, tourism and direct foreign investments’ (FDI) inflow in Georgia.

We want to increase the number of tourists visiting our country. For this purpose electronic visas will be launched in Georgia. This will simplify the procedures of visiting Georgia for the tourists,” Garibashvili said.

Meanwhile, the Government is working on the investment project ideas which should be implemented in different regions of Georgia.

"We have already created a very attractive offer for the investors. This offer includes creating the favorable conditions for the investors in different regions of Georgia. The projects that are planned to be implemented are about building the hydro power stations, developing and promoting the local production, etc. Now we are in the process of establishing communication with the businessmen, who should be interested in investing in the regions. We will do our best to encourage the private business,” Garibashvili said.

New program to help Georgian tourism micro-entrepreneurs

24.01.2015. A large-scale project will soon be implemented in two of Georgian regions to help poor communities and micro-entrepreneurs in tourism sector. The World Bank, as the administrator of grant funds provided by the government of Japan through the Japan Social Development Fund, and Biological Farming Association Elkana have signed today a Grant Agreement on a 2.5 million USD project - Empowering Poor Communities and Micro-entrepreneurs in Georgia Tourism Sector.

The agreement was signed by World Bank Acting Regional Director for the South Caucasus, Joseph Melitauri, and Director of Elkana, Mariam Jorjadze. This three year project will be implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, the Municipal Development Fund, and the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia.

The overall objective of the project is to generate employment and increase household income of poor and vulnerable communities in the Kakheti and Imereti regions, where there are ongoing World Bank-financed regional development projects to support tourism development and urban regeneration. The Japanese funding will now support communities to start/grow small and micro enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism and organic food processing sectors and implement small community works in vicinity of cultural heritage sites.

"The New York Times": A wine revival at the foot of the Caucasus

12.01.2015. (Hvino News). The New York Times in its Travel section has published "52 Places to Go in 2015", including Georgia at 25th place, and specially mentioning several wineries and other wine-related destinations:

Georgia has all the makings of the next great wine destination: the world’s longest-running unbroken wine tradition (underground fermentation in clay vessels), hundreds of indigenous grape varieties, stunning landscapes and a band of vintners espousing natural methods. Its output has all become easier to sample, too, thanks to wine bars in the capital, Tbilisi (Konka, Vino Underground), a marked wine trail in Kakheti and wineries (Pheasant’s Tears, Iago’s Winery, Winery Khareba) serving traditional and modern Georgian cuisine. Those varietals will be feted this year at four major events: the New Wine Festival, Wine City Tbilisi at Tbilisifest, Telavino and the Tbilisi Cheese Festival...

The piece on Georgia in The New York Times is authored by Robyn Eckhardt, a freelance food writer based in Penang, China.

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"The Telegraph" on Georgian wine-making

09.01.2015. Britain's The Telegraph has named Georgia as one of the most extraordinary destinations in the world.

“You might not have heard of Kakheti but you’re almost guaranteed to have enjoyed its most famous invention: wine. The Georgians have been making wine for 8,000 years and there’s recently been a revived interest in traditional wine-making techniques, with some of the country’s best wines now appearing on the wine lists at The Fat Duck, Hibiscus and Nobu.

Highlights of Kakheti include the 3,000 year old Uplistiske Rock City with its industrial-scale wine presses; the Ikalto Monastery where Orthodox priests kept meticulous viticulture records; fortified sacramental wine cellars larger than the churches they supplied; and the vineyards and wine cellars of Lagvinari, Georgia’s premier wine producer”, – the The Telegraph article says.

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Electronic visa applications available from February 1

09.01.2015. Head of the National Tourism Administration George Chogovadze has announced that the Georgian government will present an online form for visa applications on February 1. According to Chogovadze, in 2014 Georgia was visited by 5,493,492 international travelers, 1.9 percent more than in the previous year but falling below predicted numbers.

Chogovadze stated that a number of factors resulted in fewer visitors than experts forecasted. “First of all, it is the current situation in the region, including the events that unfolded between Russia and Ukraine. However, the tightening of visa regulations may also have affected the number of tourists. In the near future, the Government will introduce an electronic visa application form which will simplify the procedure for obtaining Georgian visas for tourists,” said Chogovadze, further noting that the electronic visa application form is expected to be available from February 1.

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More than 5.4 million visitors embrace Georgia this year

07.01.2015. Georgia is fast becoming a tourism destination by guests from all over the globe, with latest figures revealing more than a 5.4 million visitors spent time in Georgia this year.

Latest figures from the Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed a boost in 2014 year when 5, 493, 492 people crossed Georgian borders. To compare this date the same time period of 2013, the number of visitors to Georgia in 2014 increased by 1.9 percent.

While, number of tourists experienced Georgia’s unique culture, traditions and landscape increased this year and reached 2, 218 050 people complete period of this year. When compared to the same time period of 2013, the number of tourists traveled in Georgia in 2014 increased by 7.4 percent.

Latest figures from the Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed a boost in December when 433, 660 people crossed Georgian borders. This was a 10.5 percent increase on December 2013.

Last month of the year the highest number of visitors came from Turkey, followed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia and Ukraine.

The Ministry said the data showed a positive trend where more visitors from European Union countries continued to visit Georgia.

The number of visitors from Latvia, Latvia, United Kingdom, Poland, Kazakhstan, the Middle East, Israel, Belarus and Moldova also increased from year to year.

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Georgia on my mind as the fog of Abu Dhabi clears

by Peter Hellyer

06.01.2015. It’s become a family tradition in recent years to slip away over New Year to somewhere not too far away – no point in spending too many hours on a plane – yet a place that offers markedly different attractions from the UAE. For four years, we’ve chosen Istanbul, for its architecture, for the delights of a Bosphorus cruise and, of course, for the shopping.

This year, we opted for something entirely different and went to Georgia. Once our friends realised that we weren't flying all that way across the Atlantic for a mere three or four days, their response was mainly one of curiosity. Nestled in the south-western Caucasus, this small country clearly has a long way to go in attracting tourists from the Emirates, despite direct flights from Sharjah and Dubai. That said, we were happy to find some other UAE citizens and expatriate residents in the hotel we had selected.

A quick internet check told us some of what to expect: mountains and river valleys and a n abundance of ancient castles, churches and monasteries, for Georgia is overwhelmingly Christian, the religion having arrived there in the 1st century AD. Indeed the Georgian alphabet is said to have been created in the 5th century for the purpose of translating the Bible into the Georgian language.

InterContinental to open new hotel in Tbilisi

05.01.2015 (Hvino Tour News) InterContinental Hotels Group announced that it will open the InterContinental Tbilisi in Georgia in 2016.  The hotel will be the company’s first property in the country, and will operate in conjunction with existing owner partner Adjara Group.

Of the hotel’s 200 rooms, 15 will be suites, including a Presidential Suite. The property will feature a large multifunctional conference hall, ballroom, conference center, and multiple meeting rooms. Also on the premises will be an all-day dining restaurant, InterContinental Club Lounge, lobby bar, spa, and an indoor and outdoor pool.

The building that will house the hotel is a former printing warehouse. Centrally located in the heart of the capital, the hotel will be within walking distance of the city’s major landmarks, neighboring embassies, and business centers.

IHG’s chief executive officer of Europe, Angela Brav, said "We’re thrilled to be signing a property under our flagship InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand in Georgia. We look forward to further expanding our presence in this region,” Brav said.

Georgia-EU: Has Georgia made the grade?

19.12.2014. The European Parliament yesterday ratified the Association Agreement between the EU and Georgia. 490 deputies voted for the document, 76 were against, 57 deputies abstained. During the vote in the hall of the European Parliament were the current president of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, and ex-President Mikhail Saakashvili, who has been put on the wanted list in his country.

Economic expert Irakli Lekvinadze said what Georgia expects from the Association except the opening of borders. "This is a very important agreement for us, both politically and, of course, in economic terms. One of the points of the agreement is free trade, and for us this is very important. In the first place, of course, those companies that export their products from Georgia to Europe will benefit: before September 1, they paid customs tariff, from September 1 this tariff does not exist. This will affect those Georgian companies that export wine and various fruit concentrates to the EU, providing additional revenue. This is one of the benefits that we got in Georgia after ratification of the treaty," the expert said.

Georgia to launch e-visa scheme with 102 countries

17.12.2014. Georgia is preparing to launch an electronic visa (e-visa) facility in the near future, allowing tourists from 102 countries the possibility to apply for a Georgian visa in simple steps, say official Tbilisi.

E-visa’s would boost Georgia’s tourism sector and offer hassle-free travel to foreign nationals, in light of the country’s new visa rules which had created "some difficulties” for tourists, believed Giorgi Chogovadze, head of the National Tourism Administration, which is responsible for the tourism sector development in the country.

"The date of the service launch has not yet been defined. However we have to test the traffic of the users that will be able to use the electronic travel authorization scheme,” Chogovadze told industry insiders while presenting his vision and goals for developing the country’s tourism sector.

Chogovadze was confident the government was actively working to correct current deficiencies to simplify issues relating to the new visa regulations, which came into force on September 1, 2014.

Over 300 executives to meet for aviation event

16.12.2014. A decision by United Airports of Georgia to host the Routes Silk Road event for the second year running is largely due to the success of the 2014 event [read more here] and a number of key routes which were negotiated during Routes Silk Road 2014. Air Arabia and Aeroflot commenced new routes from Tbilisi International Airport in October 2014 (to Sharjah and Moscow respectively). Etihad Airways is due to begin flights from Tbilisi to Abu Dhabi in October 2015. Furthermore, UAG is currently in the process of active negotiations with two airlines to begin routes from Kutaisi International Airport.

Routes Silk Road is the route development forum that connects CIS, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia and was held for the first time earlier this year. The event, which will once again take place in the beautiful and historic capital of Georgia, will offer attendees the perfect platform to do business and improve air transport networks to, from and within the region. Over 300 senior level executives from airlines, airports, tourism authorities and other aviation stakeholders are expected to attend to discuss air service development.

Georgian tourism companies join national airline in protest

12.12.2014 (Hvino News). A rally held by Georgian Airways in protest of the unlimited flow of Russian airlines to Georgia, was joined by Georgian tourism companies on December 11. The companies stated that the country lacks regulations that support the local industry.

Georgian Airways released an eight-point list of demands on December 10, out of which only one was met. Two Russian companies Aeroflot and S7 will be able to carry out 10 flights a week instead of 14.

However, Georgia Airways leadership claims that the decision will not solve the problem and insist that all their demands are fulfilled. These include the rejection of the July 8 decree that allows Russian companies to undertake unlimited flights to the Tbilisi-Moscow-Tbilisi route, restoration of flights between the two countries that existed in 2006, negotiations with Russian representatives in Georgia, separation of the National Aviation Agency from the Ministry of Economy and making it a separate entity, hiring qualified staff for the agency and resuming the status of a flagman to Georgian Airways. Otherwise the company threatens to block the airport.

“Georgia’s airport is owned by a Turkish company, while the sky is going to be possessed by Russian companies. There is no space left for Georgian companies,” General Director of Georgian Airways Iase Zautashvili said.

Georgian Airways strike gains momentum

12.12.2014. One of the country’s top tourism agencies is publicly supporting the Georgian Airways strike as airline officials threaten to "paralyze” Tbilisi International Airport if its demands are not met.

The Georgian Airways protest is gaining momentum and has affected flights in and out of Georgia’s capital city Tbilisi.

The founder of one of the top tourism company "All Tours” Maia Mchedlidze said her company and others were in solidarity with the demands of Georgian Airways, who today pledged to ramp up their strike if their demands remained unanswered.

Mchedlidze noted that local tourism companies operated in harsh conditions as there were no regulations to enable them to compete with foreign companies.

"We make charters through Georgian Airways therefore we are dependent on each other,” she said.

"Our problem is that foreign tourism companies are trying to swallow us. Egyptian and Turkish aviation companies are entering Georgia with very low prices, they decrease their prices and we are forced to do the same, which, due to our limited resources, causes great problems for Georgian tourism companies. Their resources however enable them to act like this,” Mchedlidze said.

Georgia, World Bank to work out national tourism development strategy

04.12.2014. The Georgian Ministry of Economy and the National Tourism Administration jointly with the World Bank will begin working over the national tourism development strategy until 2025.

The consultations have been actively conducted for several months. The conference at the Expo Georgia exhibition center was dedicated to this topic. The representatives of the public and private sectors, international organizations and NGOs attended the conference.

The First Deputy Economy Minister Dmitry Kumsishvili delivered speech at the conference. He said that the tourism development is one of the priorities of the Georgian government.

"The income obtained from tourism in the country’s trade turnover amounts to $1.700 billion,” Kumsishvili said. “The work over the further document must be completed in March 2015. We must have a clear vision of the tourism development in Georgia until 2025. Afterwards, we will prepare a five-year action plan to be reconsidered."

A Solimar International representative delivered speech at the conference on behalf of the WB. He spoke about global experience in the field of tourism and tourism development strategies.

"The WB and the International Finance Corporation focused on the entrepreneurship development, the availability of funds, improvement of the investment sphere and the development of the tourism development strategy in Georgia."

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

Georgia is the most popular New Year's destination for Russians among post-Soviet countries

03.12.2014. Tour operators, having in their selection proposals for Georgia and the CIS countries, have concluded that the demand for the New Year holidays here, unlike the vast majority of the areas visited, are resisting significant falls, and in some positions show positive dynamics.

Airzena-Georgian Airways operates seven flights and week between Tbilisi and Moscow, and S7 Airlines and Aeroflot operate 14 in total.

In winter, tourists are most interested in the excursion program, spa treatments and skiing. For outdoor enthusiasts, Georgia has a choice of two ski resorts - Gudauri and Bakuriani.

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

Conference of accessible tourism takes place in Georgia

28.11.2014. The Department of Tourism and Resort of Adjara hosted the second annual international conference on the topic of accessible tourism for economical development and social responsibility in Georgia, Batumi on November 21.

The organizers of the conference pointed out the following aspects: First was the promotion of accessible tourism for social inclusion and economical development in the region. Second was the identification of activities on adaptation of the environment. Additionally, both Georgian and international tourism experts explained that in order for tourism to be successful in the area, the social responsibility of the business sector should be significantly enhanced.

“The conference did not only serve the purpose of finding possible ways to develop accessible tourism in the region, but also to increase social responsibility within society, because it is important for us to make both locals and tourists feel comfortable in Batumi,” said Mamuka Berdzenishvili, the Deputy Head of the Department of Tourism and Resort of Adjara.

Georgia’s new visa policy and its consequences for tourism

25.11.2014. New visa regulations entered into force in Georgia from September, under which visa-free regime with some countries was abolished, including those with which visa regime acted but visa could be obtained at the airport, a full visa regime was introduced.

In the years 2005-2014, Georgia has unilaterally decided to introduce a visa-free entry for citizens of all countries whose GDP is more than Georgia’s - it was established for 121 countries, and first of all - the EU and North America.

For other countries a simplified visa regime was introduced when visitors couldpurchase a visa at the airport, without unnecessary procedures. The liberalization of visa regulations is aimed at the development of tourism and promotion of foreign investors.

As a result of this policy, the number of tourists in Georgia has increased dramatically, which contributed to a sharp and rapid growth of the industry.

According to the International Organization UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, Georgia is recognized as a leader in terms of growth in the number of tourists.

Bio monitoring and environmental tourism in Lagodekhi

by Tatia Megeneishvili

31.10.2014. Head of UNDP in Georgia Niels ScottThe Lagodekhi Protected Area presented its new system of biodiversity monitoring and poach trackingMinister of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia Elguja Khokrishvili and Head of UNDP in Georgia Niels Scott visited  newly opened touristic tracks and souvenir shops The Lagodekhi Protected Area presented its new system of biodiversity monitoring and the tracking of poachers, and first achievements in developing environmental tourism on October 29.

The event was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), local government and environmental organizations, as well as residents of nearby villages.

Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia Elguja Khokrishvili and Head of UNDP in Georgia Niels Scott, visited the newly opened touristic tracks and souvenir shops. They also met with the residents of the villages Gurgeniani and Ninogori who plan to be involved in touristic activities.

As the start-up assistance to the environmental tourism, Khokrishvili and Scott presented a collection of souvenirs to the local shop and five horse saddles to the local residents interested in launching horse riding tours.

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.

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.

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?”

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.

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.

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%.