Monday, August 31, 2015

Another Turkish airline enters Georgia’s air market

31.08.2015. More planes will be flying between Georgian and Turkish skies when another Turkish airline enters the Georgian market.

From September 4 Istanbul-based airline Bora Jet Airlines will operate flights from Turkey’s Istanbul to Georgia’s seaside resort town Batumi.

The Istanbul-Batumi-Istanbul flights will be performed three times per week.

Georgia’s Economy Ministry has already issued permission for Bora Jet Airlines to begin the flight service.

Several Turkish airline companies already operate in the Georgian market including Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Atlas Jet and now Bora Jet Airlines.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seaside resort areas are enjoying growing visitor numbers thanks to an increase in international flights.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Prime Minister opens Coliseum-shaped hotel in Batumi, visits another hotel construction site

20.08.2015 (Hvino TOUR News). New five star luxury hotel has opened in Georgia’s costal city of Batumi, in Georgia's western Adjara region. The five-star  Colosseum Marina Hotel resembles the elliptical amphitheater of ancient Rome.

The construction of the hotel began in March 2013 and Mari Group invested $14 million to build the 10-storey hotel with 101 rooms, all with a view of the Black Sea coastline. The facility has a total area of 14,427 m sq.

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili opened the Colosseum Marina Hotel today with representatives of the local government. “This year 20 projects of new hotels are ongoing in Batumi, in total an amount of $700 million has been invested. This indicates that demand is growing and the numbers of tourists are increasing in Batumi and in the region itself. Tourism is growing in Georgia and it is necessary for the state to support and encourage business,” Garibashvili said.

Monday, August 17, 2015

The Georgian supra

17.08.2015. In the amazing country of Georgia, a supra (Georgian: სუფრა) is a traditional Georgian feast and an important part of Georgian social culture. Georgian wine (some of the finest in the world!) flows freely and several to several dozens of courses of food come out throughout the night, followed by dancing. A supra can go until 2 or 3 in the morning!

There are two types of supra: a festive supra (ლხინის სუფრა), called a keipi, and a sombre supra (ჭირის სუფრა), called a kelekhi, that is always held after burials.

In Georgian, “supra” means “tablecloth”. It’s likely related to the Arabic sofra (سفرة) and Turkish sofra, which are both words for traditional eating surfaces. Large public meals are never held in Georgia without a supra; when there are no tables, the supra is laid on the ground.

At a supra, toasting is a high art and I believe Georgians have elevated it more than any other culture in the world! What follows is how that toasting process, contest and history are all showcased during a supra.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Georgia offers more flights, fresh routes to new destinations

10.08.2015. With the summer aviation season now in full swing, Georgia is offering more flights into and out of the country.

Local airline Georgian Airways is adding two more directions to its existing routes until the end of the 2015 summer season.

One of the new routes will see Georgian Airways perform flights to Rostov, Russia twice per week from August 14.

The other new route, between Georgia’s capital Tbilisi and Iraq’s capital Baghdad, launched at the end of last week. The first flight took place on August 8 and operated once per week.

These two flight services have already been approved by Georgian Civil Aviation Agency.

Meanwhile flights between Georgia and the Iranian capital Tehran have recently resumed. From August 7 Iranian airline ATA Airlines performed the first Tbilisi-Tehran flight this summer season. This service will operate twice per week for the remainder of summer.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Memorandum of understanding between GNTA and Korea Tourism Organization

07.08.2015. (Hvino News). With active involvement of the Embassy of Georgia in the Republic of Korea, on July 24th, 2015 the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Georgian National Tourism Administration and Korea Tourism Organization in Seoul, Korea.

From Georgian side, the document was signed by the Georgian Ambassador in the Republic of Korea, Mr. Nikoloz Apkhazava. The Memorandum aims to strengthen ties between the two countries, support the exchange of information and contribute to efforts of increasing the flow of tourists.

© Hvino News

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Saturday, July 11, 2015

Georgian officials demand stronger national carrier

11.07.2015. Senior officials in the airport and tourism business in Georgia are pushing national carrier AirZena Georgian Airways to take a much more active role in enhancing direct air connectivity from the country to support growing demand. In discussions at the Routes Silk Road forum in the country’s capital city, Tbilisi, the national entity was labelled as a ‘weak’ operator that has failed to support Georgia’s wider development needs.

Initially established in September 1994 under the AirZena brand, the carrier provided charter flights to the United Arab Emirates, Italy, China, Egypt, India, Syria and regular scheduled flights to Austria. It was granted national carrier status in November 1999 and latterly the Georgian Airways title has been added.

In the past four weeks the carrier has introduced three new regional destinations to its route network from Tbilisi International Airport with flights to the Russian city of St Petersburg, the Armenian capital Yerevan and most recently the Ukrainian Black Sea destination of Odessa. These build upon a new link from the Georgian capital to the Russian city of Samara and seasonal services to Paris that were introduced earlier this year, but officials believe there is significant further growth opportunities.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Airline experts in Tbilisi for Routes Silk Road 2015

06.07.2015. (Hvino News) Representatives from about 40 airlines, 50 airports and 200 tourism authorities from the Silk Road region are in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi to discuss ways to expand the aviation industry and better connect countries in the wider region.

Routes Silk Road 2015 is the route development forum that connects CIS, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia. Located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, Georgia is a bridge connecting several important economic regions including Europe, the Newly Independent States (NIS), Turkey, the Caucasus and Central Asia region. Its geographic location makes the country the transportation hub for commerce and job creation.

For the second time Tbilisi is hosting the Routes Silk Road 2015 aviation forum, which is the only route development forum that connects CIS, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asian countries.

United Airports of Georgia (UAG) is hosting the international forum with support from the Georgian National Tourism Administration. During the three-day event, which began on July 5, participants will discuss key aviation issues such as air traffic and regional tourism development in the Routes Silk Road Strategy Summit section of the event, while the second part of the forum will be dedicated to meetings where representatives of airlines will discuss future cooperation and plan new air routes.

Friday, July 3, 2015

World Bank supports improved tourism infrastructure in Georgia

03.07.2015. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved on July 1 an International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan in the amount of US$60 million to Georgia for the Third Regional Development Project.

The project objective is to improve infrastructure services and institutional capacity to support increased contribution of tourism in the local economy of the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions, according to the World Bank.

The project includes two components: i) urban regeneration and tourism circuit development and provision of public infrastructure to attract private investments, and ii) institutional development.

“The main beneficiaries of the project are the residents and tourists in Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions, who will have access to improved public and tourism infrastructure in renovated cities cultural heritage sites,” said Henry Kerali, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus. “The goal is to attract private investments, promote public-private partnerships, revitalize local business activity, and develop regional tourism circuits. Owing to these improvements, the population of the region is expected to see an improved quality of life.”

Thursday, July 2, 2015

"Mashable" on Georgian wine: This former Soviet republic is the next big food and wine destination

by Susan Shain

02.07.2015. When you arrive at the airport in Tbilisi, the capital of the Republic of Georgia, the passport control agent hands you a bottle of wine to welcome you.

I’ve traveled to many countries, and have never once received a gift upon arrival — especially none so delicious or storied as Georgian wine.

I took it as a sign I would enjoy traveling in Georgia. And I was right.

The Republic of Georgia, formerly part of the Soviet Union, straddles the divide between Europe and Asia and has a population of almost 4 million. Its borders are created by the Caucasus Mountains and Russia to the north, the Black Sea to the west, Armenia and Turkey to the south, and Azerbaijan to the east.

For a country roughly the size of West Virginia, Georgia is home to an astonishing number of indigenous grapes Georgia is home to an astonishing number of indigenous grapes, with more than 500. (To put that into perspective, there are only 2,000 grape varieties in the whole world.)

Sunday, June 21, 2015

"The Korea Herald": Georgia trumpets status as the jewel of Caucasus

Amb. Apkhazava (center) with GNTA
staff at Coex  / The Korea Herald

by Joel Lee

21.06.2015. Georgia has described itself as the hidden tourist gem of the Caucasus for many years.

Aided by government-led promotion and online marketing, tourists from around the world are opening their eyes to the country’s treasure trove of attractions.

Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia has had cultural interactions with neighboring Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey for centuries. As a result, the tourism experience is multifaceted and multilayered, offering a mix of historic sightseeing, religious tours, cultural events, winemaking, spa-bathing and caving.

Georgia has an extremely diverse climate and terrain, from the Black Sea coast to the Caucasus Mountains, and from alpine meadows to semi-deserts, valleys and wetlands. Visitors can go skiing, paragliding, horseback riding, rafting, biking, hiking and ballooning.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

How to help those affected by Tbilisi flooding: Bank transfer information

For international friends who wish to assist those affected by Tbilisi flooding we are re-posting the bank account details in two Georgia's banks - Liberty Bank and TBC.




At least 13 people are dead and 11 missing after severe flooding in the Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

The Finance Ministry has preliminary estimated the flood damage at over $20 million.

The United Nations has issued a special statement regarding the recent events: "The United Nations in Georgia is deeply saddened by the loss of life as a result of the devastating flood in Tbilisi caused by the heavy rainfalls that hit the country on 14 June 2015. The United Nations expresses sincere condolences to the people and Government of Georgia, especially the families of those who have died, been injured or otherwise affected in this disaster". 

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Schuchmann Wines launches new tourism initiative

11.06.2015. Alongside with wine-making, viticulture, gastronomic and tourist business, Schuchmann Wines has started a new tourist initiative which will be presented on the market as Schuchmann Travel. The new touristic direction will be generally aimed at the inflow of tourists. Schuchmann Wines has become a leading touristic destination in Kakheti region and a top boutique winery internationally.

Schuchmann Wines' CEO Nutsa Abramishvili: “We have become partners and regional representative of a world leading tour operator. Our aim is to bring in tourists to the country and export Georgian tourist potential to such markets where Georgia is exotic and interesting as a tourist destination. During the past months we’ve been actively working on the creation of corresponding products. Our goal is to promote the development of a priority sector for Georgia – tourism, and the popularization of Georgian tourist destinations on foreign markets. We have created wine and gastronomic tour packages which generally include our main direction, such as wine and gastronomic tourism. We have started working on a niche product such as “wine and gastronomy” as well as other interesting tourist directions. The interest is high, and Georgia has huge potential in this sector.”

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Friday, May 29, 2015

Tourist boom in Georgia and Azerbaijan helps mitigate low oil prices

by Giorgi Meladze*

29.05.2015. Georgia and Azerbaijan, two South Caucasus countries that offer breath-taking natural beauty, architectural treasures and rich histories, are going all-out to develop their tourism industries, writes Giorgi Meladze.

In petroleum-rich Azerbaijan’s case, tourism development is helping it counter a drop in oil prices that many experts say will last for years. In Georgia, tourism is helping offset a drop in business stemming from its neighbors' oil-revenue declines.

The multibillion-dollar investments that Georgia, Azerbaijan and their private-sector partners are making in tourism infrastructure and promotion are paying off with surges in visitor numbers.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Can 2015 be Georgian cuisine's breakout year?

Jenny Holm

27.05.2015. For most Westerners, the states of the former Soviet Union bring to mind something of a culinary wasteland. Blame the Gulag, Cold War-era propaganda, and black and white photos of miles-long bread lines: whatever the source, our associations tend toward "bleak," "frozen," and "scarce." That's why Georgia's rich culinary traditions often come as a surprise to visitors, who tend to expect something more, well, proletarian.

Georgia's government has been working hard to shift foreigners' expectations about the nation's cuisine and to promote it as a "must-taste" destination for food and wine tourists through participation in international tourism and wine fairs, wine tastings, and distribution of plenty of swag. Yet as a small country with a big (and much better-known) bear on its back, it's an uphill battle. The fact that Georgia shares its name with a U.S. state further complicates matters in North America.

Not surprisingly, most international visitors to Georgia come from the neighboring countries of Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Ukraine. Georgia's National Tourism Administration (GNTA) has focused its marketing efforts thus far on slightly farther-flung places with which Georgia has direct flight connections, particularly in Europe and Israel. Teona Nanava, chief specialist in the brand development department of the GNTA, told me in a conversation late last year that they hope to expand their presence in the U.S. soon.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

World Economic Forum assesses Georgia’s travel & tourism competitiveness

16.05.2015. Georgia has been ranked in the top three countries in the region for being a tourism-friendly country.

Georgia placed 71st out of 141 countries in the latest Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report released by the World Economic Forum.

Spain topped the list of the most tourist-friendly countries, followed by France and Germany while Guinea and Chad were at the bottom of the list.

Regionally Turkey was found to be the most travel-friendly country with a ranking of 44th, followed by Russia in 45th place then Georgia in 71st place. Azerbaijan gained 84th place, Armenia came 89th and Iran placed 97th. Georgia ranked ahead of Egypt and Israel.

Georgia gained a score of 3.7 in the travel and tourism competitiveness pillar, the index was expressed using a scale of 1-7, where 1 was the worst and 7 was the best, across 90 indicators. The report assessed 141 economies.

Georgia ranked 32nd best in the world for its business environment, with a score of 4.9. Georgia also placed 32nd for business safety and security with its higher score of 6.0.

In terms of health and hygiene, Georgia placed 31st of 141 surveyed countries with a score of 6.1, which was the country’s best result in the whole report.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

French Compagnie de Vichy to invest in Georgian spa resort of Tskaltubo

28.04.2015. The French Compagnie de Vichy, owner of the Vichy Spa Hotel Les Celestins, expressed interest in Tskaltubo Spa Resort project - Prime Minister said in  Tskaltubo where he familiarized with  Cold Lake infrastructure.

According to Irakli Garibashvili, Tskaltubo is a unique, internationally recognized resort and the government has developed a  long-term resort development plan.

According to him, investor interest in Tskaltubo is growing every day.

Prime Minister instructed the  Partnership Fund (PF) to study  the prospects of Tskaltubo development  and announced expression of interest for a number of investment projects.

The government's press service reports that in the frames of  the  Tskaltubo rehabilitation project, small-size buildings were  built in the area of Cold Lake as well as   the irrigation system  was arranged, green cover was updated and cleaned on the territory of the central park and Cold Lake.


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Friday, April 24, 2015

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.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

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.