France’s Le Figaro to feature article on Georgia’s tourism

20.09.2016. Journalists from French daily Le Figaro are currently taking part in a media tour of Georgia and plan to write 10-page coverage story highlighting Georgia’s tourism potential.

According to Georgia’s tourism board, the journalists will visit sites in Tbilisi, Kazbegi, Borjomi, Vardzia, Akhaltsikhe and the country’s main wine-making region of Kakheti.

The article will appear in Le Figaro in spring 2017.

Le Figaro’s print edition currently has a circulation of 400,000 readers in France, while its online edition has 31 million  monthly readers.

Source

▼ View Map    ▼ Add new object    ▼ Read more info

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

UN to host first conference on wine tourism in Georgia

06.09.2016. For the first edition of a UN-organized conference on wine tourism, leaders will gather in the cradle of winemaking next week to discuss the burgeoning industry and its importance in local heritage.

It's a strategic and significant decision to hold the first edition of the UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in the South Caucasus country of Georgia instead of bigger and more popular wine tourism destinations like France, Italy, Spain or Australia.

By choosing Georgia, organizers are returning to what some experts have described as the birthplace of winemaking.

Evidence of winemaking traditions have been traced back 8,000 years among archeological records found in Georgia, well before reaching Western Europe.

At the conference, experts and industry leaders will discuss the development of a Wine Tourism Prototype, a model that will focus on the integration of wineries in the local cultural, economic, social and environmental heritage.

Georgia and UNWTO to host first Global Conference on Wine Tourism (+ Conference Program)

17.08.2016 (Hvino News). The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with the Georgian National Tourism Administration will present the 1st UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism to be held in the Kakheti wine region of Georgia from 7-9 September.

See the conference program below.

The Conference will have a unique and dynamic format in which the sessions will take place in different wineries. Expert speakers will provide snapshot presentations to lead the debates which will ensue at each of the tables. Participants will be requested to actively participate in the interactive debates with the expert speakers which will be rotating among the tables. The conclusions of the Conference will be a compilation of all the information debated during each meeting.

“Wine tourism represents a growing segment with immense opportunities to diversify demand. In the case of Georgia, this potential is well-known and we are very pleased to be holding the first UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in the country,” said Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO.

PM pledges to develop mountainous tourism in Georgia’s Black Sea region

15.08.2016. Georgia’s Black Sea region Adjara continues to gain popularity for its sea and mountainous places among foreign visitors choosing to spend their holidays in Georgia.

Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, while presenting the majoritarian candidate for the region, announced that the government is working on a plan to turn Adjara into a developed four season tourist destination.

“I am happy to see that the region is full of tourists and visitors. We have a plan and definite intentions for both coastal and mountainous Adjara, aiming to make them even more attractive for tourists,” Kvirikashvili said.

The PM emphasized that the plan includes renovation of new roads leading from seaside areas to the mountainous parts of Adjara, as well as construction and promotion of new European style mountain resorts in the region.

The latest statistics published by the Tourism and Resorts Department of Adjara state that the number of tourists visiting the region during the January-July period increased by 73.35 percent y-o-y to reach 21,500 people. The majority of guests are from Russia, Poland, Ukraine and Israel. The information is based on data provided by tourist information centers.

According the Adjara Tourism Department, most visitors are interested in high-mountainous areas and ecotourism.

Source

▼ View Map    ▼ Add new object    ▼ Read more info

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

Georgia as a top tourist destination: Behind the scenes

by  Keti Sidamonidze and Ludovic Girod

18.07.2016. Less than four years ago, in 2012 the worldwide known tourist guide Lonely Planet attributed to Georgia a title of top world destination. Afterwards, the US influential magazine New Yorker named Georgia as the place worth visiting in 2015 and, this year, the country has been acknowledged by CNN as one of the best tourist destinations. The growing world’s attention to this pearl of the Caucasian region can be said is primarily driven by the uniqueness of place, constant tourist infrastructure development, effective governmental initiatives, as well as efficient marketing strategy.

The recently published data by the Georgian National Tourism Administration shows that Georgia has experienced significant growth of the number of international arrivals: since 2014 the growth rate has been established at 14% while the worldwide index does not surpass 3.4%. Development of tourist industry has a noteworthy impact upon the economy of the country since its share in GDP amounted to almost 6.8% in 2015. According to some experts of the industry, the potential is still to be exploited better. For example, the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum ranks Georgia at the 71st place among 141 countries. The country has got the lowest score in a sub-index of natural and cultural resources (2.1% and 1.5% out of 7% correspondingly). These pillars concern attractiveness measures to promote natural and cultural World Heritage sites, the percentage of nationally protected areas, the number of large stadiums hosting significant events, the number of international meetings within the country, etc. This information unveils some areas for further performance improvement.

Air Arabia begins services to Batumi

12.07.2016 (Hvino News). Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, touched down in Batumi, the second largest city of Georgia.

The airline operates two weekly flights to the famed Black Sea port city from its primary Sharjah International Airport hub on Thursday and Saturdays at 13:15, arriving at Batumi at 16:40. The return flights are scheduled to leave Batumi International Airport at 17:30 to arrive in Sharjah at 20:50.

A fascinating seaside resort city steeped in history and blessed with abundant natural beauty, Batumi has built a reputation as a safe, affordable destination, helping it find a niche among travelers looking beyond traditional tourist spots. The city’s varied charms include a cluster of classical 19th century edifices dotting its historic Old Town, including museums, monuments, cultural centers, and mosques and cathedrals.
Batumi is equally known for its stunning beaches, parks and squares, and the surge in tourism over the last decade has seen a number of modern buildings, including five-star hotels and resorts from international chains, take their place alongside the historical town that offers a window into Batumi’s rich past.

Georgian Railway deploys Swiss-made double decker trains

30.06.2016  (Hvino Tour News). Swiss Stadler Rail is to supply Georgian Railway with four KISS double-deck electric multiple-units under an €39.6m agreement.

The EMUs are to be delivered between June and September and will be deployed on fast services between Tbilisi and the Black Sea resorts of Batumi, Kobuleti and Ureki. GR said the new rolling stock would improve passenger comfort and help to support tourism. The new trainsets would be fully compliant with European safety standards, and be the first Georgian trainsets to be ‘completely adjusted to the needs of physically disabled persons’, GR added.

Each new train will be able to service about 530 passengers at once and reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h.

Georgian Railway says it has no plans to raise the cost of tickets. At present, a ticket from Tbilisi to Batumi costs 19-26 GEL.

Travel & tourism investments in Georgia to rise by 6.3% in 2016

20.06.2016. Travel & Tourism investment in Georgia in 2015 was GEL 231.7mn, or 3.4% of total investment. The figure is forecasted to rise by 6.3% in 2016. The direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP was GEL2,195.9 mn (7.1% of total GDP) in 2015, and is forecast to rise by 5.9% in 2016, and to rise by 6.1% pa, from 2016-2026, to GEL4,212.6 mn (8.4% of total GDP) in 2026.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism, in 2015 Travel & Tourism in Georgia directly supported 100,500 jobs (5.8% of total employment). This is expected to rise by 4.2% in 2016 and rise by 1.8% pa to 125,000 jobs (7.2% of total employment) in 2026. Rochelle Turner is the head of research at “WTTC Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2016 Georgia”.

New website helps tourists book local guides in Georgia

28.05.2016. A new online platform is being created in Georgia allowing tourists to find and book a guide to lead them to the country’s most beautiful destinations.

The Tourism Development Initiative Society started developing a webpage about two months ago that provides a guide booking service to tourists coming to Georgia.

The organisation’s director Giorgi Kvezereli told Agenda.ge the webpage was still being developed but the guide booking service was already available in Russian and English, and it was proving very popular.

More than 50 local guides were registered on the webpage and "dozens of guides” have already been booked said Kvezereli.

The cost to book a guide per day started at 120 GEL (about $56/€50*).

Our goal is to create an informative online catalogue for foreigners which will give them all the information they need about Georgia’s touristic opportunities. From Georgia’s iconic touristic destinations to the hospitality sector – all information will be available on the webpage,” Kvezereli said.

Chinese airline to perform direct service from Georgia to USA

25.05.2016 (Hvino Tour News).  According to Igor Aptsiauri, first deputy director of the civil aviation agency, Chinese Hualing Group - Georgia’s major investment company - plans to introduce Chinese airline My Way Airlines to Georgia, to perform direct flights to the USA.

My Way Airlines is a new airline that was established in China and that will operate in Georgia. The airline will be incorporated in Georgia, Igor Aptsiauri said.

 “Currently, there is a solution of technical issues and consultations at the expert level. We have already received a notification from the Chinese aviation authorities about the fact that the company will be called My Way Airlines”, Mr. Aptsiauri said.

Dmitry Kumsishvili,  Georgian Economy Minister, announced about appearance  of the new airline in the Georgian civil aviation market.

Hualing intends to bring a new airline to Georgia, which will have two Boing-737s and one Boeing-777. It will operate its flights to Europe and Asia, then, as expected, it will begin direct flights to the U.S.”, he said.

My Way Airlines will have the base in Georgia and employ local residents.

© Hvino News

▼ View Map    ▼ Add new object    ▼ Read more info

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

Tripadvisor and Georgian Tourism Board launch joint campaign

20.05.2016. Georgia’s National Tourism Administration signed a joint advertising agreement on Wednesday with travel web site Tripadvisor.

The campaign will include posts and detailed information about Georgia over the next six months.

Tripadvisor’s marketing manager Chad Shiver arrived in Georgia to discuss the terms of the agreement. Shriver said the web portal would post photos, video and banners about Georgia.

“It is my first time in Georgia, but I appreciated the beauty of Tbilisi, and I am sure the country has great potential to attract tourists from different countries,” said Shiver.

In the first phase, the advertising campaign will target ten countries including Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Russia. The cost of the campaign amounts to 200,000 GEL (USD 93,000).

World Bank to help Georgia with tourism infrastructure

At Vani Archaeological Museum

16.05.2016 (Hvino News). The World Bank (WB) will allocate Georgia $9 million for the restoration of urban, municipal and tourist infrastructure in Imereti region, Western Georgia, to promote cultural and historical monuments as well as attract tourists.

Financial resources will be allocated for the additional financing of the second project of the regional development, which envisages reconstruction of Vani Archaeological Museum-Reserve and the access road to it, as well as construction of wastewater treatment plant in Tsqaltubo, Western Georgia.

Georgia joined the WB in 1992. During this time, more than 73 projects with a total value of $2.58 billion were financed.

Rehabilitation and development of tourist infrastructure is one of the main areas financed by the WB.

© Hvino News

▼ View Map    ▼ Add new object    ▼ Read more info

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

Kazakh airline to start flights to Batumi

29.04.2016. Kazakh airline SCAT will start flights to Batumi in early June, according to the head of Adjara’s Tourism Department, Mamuka Berdzenishvili.

The number of Kazakh citizens travelling to Georgia in the first quarter of 2016 grew by 21 per cent, which necessitated increased air passenger traffic between the two former Soviet countries.

“For the first time in history, we will have direct flights to/from Kazakhstan. The flights will start from the beginning of June. SCAT Airlines will make flights from Kazakh city Aktau to Batumi,” said Berdzenishvili.

He also said plans are in the works to increase the number of flights to Batumi from Turkey and Belarus.

Established in 1997, SCAT Airlines’ main base is in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. The company's fleet consists of mainly western-owned aircraft and offers services to more than 80 domestic and international air routes.

According to data from the Georgian National Tourism Department, the number of tourists from Kazakhstan in Georgia in the first quarter of 2016 was 6,290, up 27 per cent from the same period last year.

Source

▼ View Map    ▼ Add new object    ▼ Read more info

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

Tbilisi hosts international tourist exhibition CTF 2016

15.04.2016. Georgia’s capital Tbilisi is hosting the 18th International Tourism Fair of the Silk Road countries Caucasus Tourism Fair (CTF) 2016.

The CTF 2016, dedicated to promoting the revival of Georgian domestic tourism and foreign tourism destinations, is being held from April 14-16 at ExpoGeorgia.

Representatives from 68 tourism operators from eight countries are in Georgia to participate in the exhibition to showcase the attractiveness, sites and cultures of each country.

Georgia’s Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili and head of Georgia's National Tourism Administration (GNTA) Giorgi Chogovadze officially opened the CTF 2016 this morning.

"Vinichio Valley" project in Kakheti introduced to Georgian business representatives

11.04.2016 (Hvino News). On April 9th the International Chamber of Commerce of Georgia (ICC) organized a tour for its members to Vinichio Valley Vineyard in Kakheti (East Georgia).

Vinichio Valley is a large agricultural project by Tbilisi-based ARIC Group, which will focus on wine and food production on a 2000-hectares land plot stretching along the river Iori in Sagaredjo region of Kakheti   ▼Map .

Local Georgian vine varieties saperavi, rkatsiteli, alexandreuli have already been partially planted on 400 hectares of land allocated for vineyards, making Vinichio one of Europe's largest projects of this type. 2017 will see the first Vinichio's harvest.

Apart of wine, Vinichio is set to produce seedless table grapes, fresh and dried fruits and nuts. It will also offer high-end facilities for wine tourism including villas and will have its own airfield for easy transportation.

International tourism exhibition exposes Georgia as the best wine direction

26.03.2016. Georgia was named as the best wine direction at the Berlin international tourism exhibition - ITB Berlin. Moreover, Taleb Rifai, head of the UN World Tourism Organization, handed over a special award to the national tourism administration of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

At the ITB 2016 exhibition nineteen private companies and state organizations were represented from Georgia jointly with the national tourism administration.

According to the national tourism administration, at the exhibition meetings were held with international marketing and promotion agencies, reporters, bloggers, tourism service suppliers, tour operators and organizers of various exhibitions

More than 120 000 visitors attended the world’s one of the largest tourism exhibitions. The ITB 2016 hosted representatives of 187 countries.

Source

▼ View Map    ▼ Add new object    ▼ Read more info

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

Georgia rolls out red carpet for Chinese visitors

by Yang Feiyue

23.03.2016. A cradle of red wine, unique culture, gourmet food, ancient churches and hospitable people, Georgia is hoping to attract more Chinese to savor its diverse charms.

New flights connecting major cities like Shanghai and Beijing might be launched in future.

"Air China representatives plan to visit Georgia to explore business possibilities," says David Aptsiauri, ambassador of Georgia in China.

Already, China Southern Airlines operates direct flights from Urumqi to Georgia.

The country is also offering e-visas to encourage Chinese visitors.

World class Crowne Plaza hotel opens in Borjomi

06.03.2016. A major project in Georgia’s south will turn the area into one of the best tourist destinations in the region.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited the Samtskhe-Javakheti region in southern Georgia yesterday to check on the progress of several projects aiming to boost the tourism potential of the area.

While there the Prime Minister opened a new five-star hotel in Borjomi, a town famous for the eponymous mineral water internationally known as a hangover cure.

Borjomi has a very strategic touristic location as it is close to Bakuriani - one of Georgia’s main skiing resorts - and the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, which is among the country’s largest protected areas.

The company behind the new hotel was global hotel chain, InterContinental Hotels Group. The company invested $32 million USD in Crowne Plaza Borjomi.

Ryanair to enter Georgia

21.02.2016. The Irish low cost airline “Ryanair” expressed an interest towards Georgian air-market, – possibilities of initiating routes to Kutaisi were discussed during the working meeting conducted by the Prime Minister of Georgia with the Chief Commercial Officer of “Ryanair” David O’Brien.

During the meeting it was noted that the growth of interest of low cost airlines to Georgia is caused by the business environment in the country, growth of the tourist flow during the recent years and the possibilities provided to the Georgian citizens by the prospects of visa liberalization with the EU.

Pursuant to David O’Brien, the working group of the airline will study operational and infrastructural capacities of the Kutaisi International Airport. He also expressed hope that the negotiations and consultations with Georgian government will lead to positive results.

“We conducted fruitful and promising meeting with the Prime Minister. Now I am in a completely different spot from Ireland, which is a great privilege to me. I hope that soon we will be able to connect this part of Europe with another” – the Chief Commercial Officer of “Ryanair” David O’Brien noted upon the termination of the meeting.

Georgian National Tourism Administration presented its 2015 report

15.02.2016. Giorgi Chogovadze, the head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, has presented a 2015 report to the public. Last year’s statistical data, realized projects, tourism strategy, marketing campaigns, international touristic exhibitions, fam tours, publications, various events and planned projects are all observed in a 42-page brochure.

In Giorgi Chogovadze’s words, in 2015 Georgia hosted an unprecedented number of foreign visitors – 5 897 685. There were representatives of close to 400 media outlets as well as 150 tour operators among them. It should also be noted that in view of the new infrastructure development, the bike parks were created in Gudauri and Bakuriani and apart from that, 1 100 representatives of touristic industry have passed retraining courses in 15 cities of Georgia.

Georgia takes action to become more attractive to tourists

30.01.2016. Georgia is intensifying its work to attract tourists from the region and the world.

The country aims to become a weekend and holiday destination for international visitors.

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili yesterday met with representatives of Georgia’s tourism industry and discussed ways to increase tourist numbers to the country.

Kvirikashvili asked the tourist agencies to prepare events all throughout the year as a way to attract more regional and international tourists.

"A lot of representatives from various tourism areas have gathered here today and I would like to have, very soon, a long-term campaign which will ensure as many tourists visit Georgia as possible,” the PM said.

"We should also discuss an event calendar for the whole year to make sure there is something happening every weekend and every holiday in Tbilisi that attracts tourists from the region and far away countries.”

Georgian airports served record number of passengers in 2015

14.01.2016. In 2015 Georgia’s Airports served a record number of passengers compared to previous years numbers.

The Aviation Agency of the Ministry of Economy published statistics showcasing that Georgian airports served 12% more passengers in 2015 than the previous year.

According to date, airports in Georgia served a record 2,261,006 passengers in 2015.

The report highlighted that usage of Georgian air space increased by 6.6% with the total number of flights reaching 123,364.

The number of regular and charter flights increased by 4.53%. Georgian airports made 11,409 regular and 2,259 charter flights in 2015.

According to statistics, almost 2 million passengers passed through Tbilisi airport, which was 17.25% more than last year, while Batumi airport served 226,476 passengers – 5.91% more than in 2014, and the airport in Mestia, in northern Georgia, hosted 232 percent more than in 2014.

Over 5 million foreigners visit Georgia in 2015

05.01.2016. Georgian tourism is once again on the rise as the latest statistics show that the number of foreign visitors has increased.

Around 6 million international arrivals were registered in Georgia since January 2015, the Information-Analytical Department (IAD) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced.

According to data, 5 897 685 people crossed the Georgian border during the previous year. This is an increase of 7% over the same period of 2014.

“The growing number of visitors (tourists, one-day visits and transit) to Georgia is important for the further development of the country’s tourism sector, as well as for increasing the inflow of foreign money,” the IAD said in a statement.

In total about half a million people visited Georgia in December 2015, which is 7 % increase to compare the same period of the last year.

According to the MIA statistics, 155,048 were tourists (6.2% more than in 2014), 89, 141 were transiting (2.2 percent more than in 2014) and 221,773 people came for other purposes (9.6 percent less than in December, 2014).

Georgia in "Condé Nast Traveler" list of "hottest wine destinations 2016"

21.12.2015 (Hvino News). Georgia is listed in "The Hottest Wine Destinations of 2016" by luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

"The Hottest Wine Destinations of 2016" is a list compiled by Condé Nast Traveler's Laura Giannatempo, published on December 17.

The magazine reads: "We asked some of the country’s top wine experts to tell us where they’re excited to go in the New Year. What we got is the wine lover’s definitive list of regions to explore." About Georgia:

"Georgia — the former Soviet Union country, not the American state, and one of the oldest wine regions in the world — has become a wine hotspot in the past few years. The traditional Georgian method using kvevris — beautiful, amphora-type clay vessels for fermenting, storing, and aging wine underground — is now being replicated by many natural winemakers all over the world. “The land, the history, the culture, the food, the wine, the people—it was one of the most powerful wine trips I’ve ever taken,” says Pascaline Lepeltier, beverage director of Rouge Tomate Chelsea, NYC."

The World bank: A Tourism Strategy for Georgia – “Country of Life”

10.12.2015. Observing a world map, you will see that Georgia is a small country with a strategic geographic location, resting at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. But how best to really describe it?

The country is often showcased on international television programs, such as CNN’s 9 reasons to visit Georgia now, New York Times’ 52 places to go in 2015, and National Geographic’s Best tours in Europe 2015.

There are numerous literary books and guidebooks about Georgia’s cultural heritage, nature, cuisine (wine, in particular) – all beckoning people to visit the land of the ancient Kolkhis.

Travel agencies entice potential tourists with offers, proposing air companies and routes that are convenient and friendly, and advising on a range of hotels in which to stay, routes to pursue, and places to visit – whether in the country’s famous mountains or valleys.

Perhaps Georgia is best described as the “Country of Life” – a motto coined by Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA), and which can be found on a wide variety of gifts and tourist products.

Georgia once again in focus of Vogue magazine

04.12.2015. (Hvino News). Just a couple months ago Hvino News reported about American Vogue magazine's mentioning Georgian wine on top of the Vogue's list of orange wines (read more: Vogue magazine lists Georgian Iago's Chinuri as number one orange wine).

On December 2 Georgia appears again in the focus of Vogue's attention. This time the renown magazine goes further in exploration of Georgia. Vogue published five reasons why one should visit Georgia, in the article “Why Georgia (the country) is the secret gem of Europe”.

The author Liana Satenstein starts her article with a direct call to action:

"This holiday season, forget the plane ticket to Milan. Cancel Berlin. And don’t bother with London. Instead, head to Georgia".

The first of Vogue's reasons is Georgian food and wine:

Over the past few years, a wave of Georgian restaurants have become a hit stateside... And there is no doubt about why this Eastern European cuisine has crossed the Atlantic.... Georgian wine—it’s fermented in a kvevri, a B.C. tradition that involves a clay vessel buried far underground.

Besides delicacies such as khachapuri ("bread is in the shape of a pinched boat, stuffed and baked with a traditional Georgian cheese called suluguni"), other attractions listed by Vogue include Georgian ballet, sulfur baths, and Tbilisi's architecture. A little bit oversimplified list, in our view, but anyway thanks to Vogue for covering Georgia.

We hope the readers who will visit Georgia will report many other really unique attractive features of Georgia, and discover that it is a gem indeed.

© Hvino News

▼ View Map    ▼ Add new object    ▼ Read more info

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

IFC funds one of Georgia’s first three-star branded hotels

26.11.2015.  (Hvino News). IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is providing a $7 million loan to a wholly owned subsidiary of m2 Real Estate to build one of the first three-star internationally branded hotels in Georgia, helping create jobs, meet growing demand for quality hospitality infrastructure, and spur broader economic growth.

Tourism and travel is one of Georgia’s fastest growing sectors, and a key generator of jobs. Yet the budget and mid-market hotel segments are particularly underserved, resulting in a large gap between supply and demand. In funding the construction of a Ramada Encore Hotel in Tbilisi, IFC’s loan to JSC m2 Real Estate’s wholly owned subsidiary aims to address this gap.

”Building on our successful cooperation with IFC over years, with this new project we plan to contribute to improving Georgia’s hospitality infrastructure and cater to the growing demand for travel in the country,” said Irakli Burdiladze, Chief Executive Officer, m2 Real Estate.

The 152-room hotel is the first step in JSC m2 Real Estate’s plan to build more than 300 affordable hotel rooms in Tbilisi and, potentially, other cities of Georgia. In addition, the hotel plans to use using energy efficient technologies to reduce power use.

Georgia's wine and tourism agencies briefed journalists on first UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism

13.11.2015 (Hvino News) Yesterday in Tbilisi the the heads of the National Tourism Administration and National Wine Agency - Giorgi Chogovadze and Giorgi Samanishvili - held a joint press conference regarding the first Global Conference on Wine Tourism, planned for 2016 in Georgia.

The wine conference will be held under the auspices of United Nations's World Tourism Organization - UNWTO.

As announced last moth at UNWTO event in London, the first UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held in Georgia’s Kakheti wine region on September 7-9, 2016 (read more here). The activity is part of the UNWTO Gastronomy Network plan of action.

The representatives of Georgia's wine and tourism agencies briefed the journalists at Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel on the conference project details, and answered the questions.

Georgia to host UNWTO’s 1st Global Conference on Wine Tourism in 2016

05.11.2015 (Hvino News) Wine tourism is set to really take off next year after it was announced that the first UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism will be held in Georgia’s Kakheti wine region from Sept. 7-9, 2016.

The 1st UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism was officially launched by UNWTO and the Georgian National Tourism Administration on the occasion of the World Travel Market in London. The activity is part of the UNWTO Gastronomy Network plan of action.

The UNWTO and the Georgian National Tourism Administration made the announcement at World Travel Market session. As explained by UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, who led the presentation with the head of Georgian National Tourism Administration, George Chogovadze, and the Georgian Ambassador to Spain, Zurab Pololikashvili, “Wine tourism represents a growing segment with immense opportunities to diversify demand. In the case of Georgia, this potential is well known as we are very pleased to be holding the first UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism in the country.”

Indian visitations to Georgia register 81% growth during first nine months of 2015

03.11.2015 (Hvino News).Georgia Tourism holds first roadshow in India in partnership with Air Arabia.

There has been a commendable growth of 81% in Indian inbound to Georgia during the first nine of this year, compared to 3,792 Indian arrivals during the same period in 2014. According to Georgia National Tourism Administration (GNTA), they welcomed 6,869 Indian passport holders from January to September, 2015. Speaking to TravelBiz Monitor on the sidelines of the roadshow jointly organized by GNTA and Air Arabia, George Chogovadze, Head of Administration, GNTA, said that the Indian arrival figures have been encouraging since Air Arabia commenced operations to Tbilisi last year.

Chogovadze said that GNTA’s efforts are to create more awareness about the destination, especially the MICE potential of destinations like Tbilisi and Batumi. “We have hosted 18 travel writers from India to Georgia last year. We will continue to organize FAM trips for media and travel agents to make the tourism potential of Georgia known in India,” he said. Chogovadze said that Georgia is a small country, but diverse in terms of topography, climate, etc. “We have mountains, ski resorts, beaches, wildlife, etc.  Cultural tour is quite popular. Georgia is a cradle of wines with 8,000 years of wine heritage,” he said.

AXIS' tallest skyscrapers in Tiblisi to house Pullman Hotel

27.10.2015 (Hvino News). The Georgian Co-Investment Fund (GCF), a USD6 billion private equity fund based in Georgia, and Georgian construction company AXIS are to build Axis Towers, twin skyscrapers which, when complete, will be the tallest buildings in Tiblisi.

The glass tower will house a five-star Pullman hotel and will additionally feature an A-class business centre with 15,000 sq m of office space. Meanwhile, the stone tower will comprise of 15,000 sq m of residential property, featuring apartments with impressive views of Tbilisi. The tower will be equipped with all the necessary infrastructure to create the maximum comfort for its residents.

GCF will own 50 per cent of the completed development, while the other 50 per cent will be held by AXIS.

The multifunctional complex consists of two 147 metre tall, 41-storey towers, four floors of which will be underground. One tower will be glazed with dark glass, while the other will feature white stone cladding. The total buildable area of the towers equals 94,000 sq m.

Sheraton Grand to be opened in Tbilisi

21.102015 (Hvino News). Sheraton Grand will be the news name of  te hotel located in Old Tbilisi. The hotel is under renovation currently.

George Gegechkori, director of Ras Al Khaimah Investment (RAKIA) said that presentation of the project will be held in November, while reconstruction of the hotel would be finished in autumn 2016. As he noted, exterior of the hotel will be merely renovated. Redesigning of the hotel is not envisaged by the project, in order not to drop out the building from the ensemble of the city.

Number of hotel rooms will be increased from 150 to 220. This will be the sole hotel with the innovative ball room in Tbilisi, which will be able to host the biggest events.

RAKIA Georgia is owned by Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi,  Sheikh of Ras Al Khaimah emirate, who also owns holds Tbilisi Mall.

© Hvino News

▼ View Map    ▼ Add new object    ▼ Read more info

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

Georgia in Lonely Planet's "Ten world’s most intriguing wine regions"

09.10.2015. (Hvino News). Travel guides publishing house Lonely Planet included Georgia in its recently published list "Ten of the world’s most intriguing wine regions".  Lonely Planet’s new book Wine Trails plots a course through 52 of the world’s greatest wine regions, with weekend-long itineraries in each designed by expert writers, including wine buyers and sommeliers.

"We’ve picked out 10 of the most intriguing regions to show why tasting wine in the place it was made can be a revelation", - reads the article posted by Lonely Planet. Georgia's Kakheti region is listed between Mendoza (Argentina) and Niagara (Canada):

Kakheti, Georgia

The Georgian wine experience is like no other. The story of wine here is so old, so real, that it can make what we know of ancient Greece and Rome seem like recent history. Georgia is widely recognised as the land where man first learned to tame the wild grapevine, around 6000BC. In most of the country, winemaking technology has changed little since then. Grapes are still harvested by hand, and foot-pressed in the hollowed-out trunks of ancient trees. The juice flows into underground clay amphoras, where it ferments and matures without additives or manipulation.

Wine mapping project launched on Georgian Wine Day!

04.10.2015. Greetings to all friends of Georgian wine! To mark the Georgian Wine Day, today Hvino is starting our Georgian wine mapping project.

Hvino Map  is an experimental project, where users are mapping the important wine places of Georgia. Hvino Map is already fully usable. It will be updated every week, becoming richer and more comprehensive with time.  It can be used on any desktop or mobile devices, both Apple and Android. Direct link to map is here.

You are welcome to add a new object, such as winery, cellar, wine shop, hotel or other place useful for visitors. Users also may update and correct locations if necessary. If you want to edit the map, see instructions in the bottom. Also please report us about all problems or bugs, so we will fix them.

View current Hvino Map below...
... or click HERE for full size view 

• To use on any mobile device, go to: bit.do/hvino.
• To edit the map, see instructions in the bottom.

How to edit Hvino Map:

To simplify editing and avoid errors, we use separate Google map for user's submissions. To add your object, use the map below and follow instructions:

Georgia earns $766m from international tourism

02.10.2015. Hundreds of millions of dollars has been injected into the Georgian economy through international tourism.

As the number of tourists to Georgia increased, the country experienced more benefits, said the National Tourism Administration.

Today the Administration published data stating international tourism revenue reached $460 million USD in the second quarter (Q2) of 2015, which was $30.4 million or seven percent more than in the same period of 2014.

In the first six months of the year Georgia earned $766.4 million USD directly from international tourism. This was almost three percent more year-on-year (y/y).

In the six-month period the value added to the tourism sector increased by 17.3 percent and reached 480 million GEL.

Between January and June 2015, tourists spent more than 300 million GEL on their foreign bank cards, which was an annual increase of more than 100 million GEL or 38 percent.

Sharjah set to promote its tourism landmarks in Georgia, Russia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan

30.09.2015 (Hvino News) Following the successful participation in a promotional tour to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in the Commonwealth of Independent States, organised earlier this month by the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced another series of road shows to Georgia, Russia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan from September 29 to October 2. During the tour, SCTDA will promote Sharjah's latest tourism developments under the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 that aims to attract 10 million tourists by 2021.

The delegation for the road show is headed by HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Director General of SCTDA, includes representatives from Air Arabia, Sharjah Airport travel agency (SATA), Copthorne Hotel Sharjah, Ramada Sharjah, Golden Tulip Hotel Apartments, and Khalidiya Travel & Tourism. A number of workshops and meetings will be organised with representatives and decision makers in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors in the cities of Almaty, Moscow, Yerevan and Tbilisi.

Commenting on the participation, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, said the promotional tours are part of the Authority's strategy to shed light on the diversity of Sharjah's tourism product in order to strengthen its position as a leading global tourist destination. The road shows will help attract a large number of tourists to Sharjah from key markets around the world, apart from the emerging markets that contribute to the huge tourist inflow to the emirate every year.

Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi: Five star facility “enclave” in Tbilisi

28.09.2015. A new lake and a fascinating waterfall is but a small list of some of the facilities that Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi will be constructing in its surrounding area soon. The management is focused on expanding its five star facilities outside of the Hotel’s walls and bringing a new experience to every Georgian, especially residents of the local district. With head offices in Paris and Shanghai the hotel is actively involved in promoting Georgia on foreign markets. Increasing the number of direct flights, as well as active participation in international exhibitions, are the key suggestions the hotel has for Georgian officials to raise awareness of Georgia abroad.

Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi is a five star hotel with a French touch located on the shorelines of the famous Tbilisi Sea. Just two months since opening, the Hotel has become a popular location not only for business meetings and conferences, but also for wedding receptions.

The Financial interviewed Petter Lillvik, General Manager at Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi. In his exclusive interview, Lillvik talked about the international experience that the company is bringing to the Georgian hospitality industry. He gave suggestions for how to raise the popularity of Georgia as a travel destination.

Visitor numbers on the rise in Georgia

27.09.2015. Georgian tourism is once again on the rise as the latest statistics show that the number of foreign visitors have increased.

About 4 million international arrivals were registered in Georgia in the last eight months, the Policy and Management Consultation Group (PMCG) Research Centre has announced.

According to data from the organisation, 3 922 376 people have crossed the Georgian border in the January - August 2015 period. This is an increase of 5.9% over the same period last year.

“The growing number of visitors (tourists, one-day visits and transit) to Georgia is important for the further development of the country’s tourism sector, as well as for increasing the inflow of foreign money,” the PMCG Research Centre emphasized in a statement.

During previous years the July – September periods has been the busiest in regards to tourism. A similar tendency was visible in 2015, as 40.5% of all international arrivals were registered in the July – August period, with September’s figures yet to be added. This figure is likely to mirror the pattern of previous years, the PMCG report concluded.

Source

Georgian Wine Catalogue

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

Number of Travelers Increased by 6% in 2015

07.09.2015. Georgia hosted 3,922,376 international visitors during the first eight months of 2015. The number is 219,699 (or 6%) more than the figure from the same period of the previous year. With a total of 944,029 visitors to Georgia, Armenians make up the majority of foreign travellers in Georgia. They are followed by Azerbaijanis, Turks and Russians.

According to the data of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, a total of 3,922,376 tourists visited Georgia during January-August of the current year. Of this, 1,573,888 spent 24 or more hours in the country, down from 1,576,091 from the previous year’s data. Additionally, 944,604 people came to Georgia as a transit stop this year. This was a 35 percent increase from the same time last year.

From January to August 2015 visitors from Georgia’s neighbouring countries continued to flock to Georgia on holiday. 944,029 Armenians visited Georgia this year, up from 825,344, or 14% more than the same period of the previous year. Azerbaijani tourist numbers rose by 8% and reached 932,054. Guests from Russia amounted to 642,755, up from 560,476, or 15% more. Turkey holds third place by number of visitors to Georgia. However, guest numbers from Turkey have dropped by 6% this year and totaled 926,755.

Le Méridien to debut in Batumi, Georgia

03.09.2015 (Hvino News) Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., in partnership with Red-Co Ltd, today announced that its Paris-born Le Méridien brand will open in Batumi, the brand’s first location in the Republic of Georgia. Scheduled to open in 2018, the 110-room newly constructed hotel will showcase modern architecture and design within the iconic Batumi Tower, a mixed-use development project that also includes a casino and unbranded residences. Designed by the Hausart Project, the landmark Batumi Tower is the tallest structure in the city and features a unique eight-cabin carousel wheel on the 27th floor.

“Le Méridien Batumi will join our Sheraton Batumi and Sheraton Metechi Palace hotels in the Republic of Georgia, and will be a great addition to the vibrant city of Batumi.”

“We thank the owners, Red-Co Ltd, for putting their trust in Starwood, and we look forward to a long and successful working relationship with them,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Le Méridien promises to ‘unlock’ each destination it enters for its guests and this hotel will inspire creative and curious minded travelers to discover the culture, the arts and cuisine of Batumi.”

Georgia attracts 10% more tourists in August

03.09.2015.  Georgia is continuing to experience growth in tourism; more visitors crossed the state border the last month than previous years.

Latest figures revealed there were 852,377 visitors to Georgia in August 2015 – a 10 percent increase on the same period in 2014.

Today the Information-Analytical Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs presented statistical data, which noted out of 852,377 visitors 383,619 were tourists. That was a two present increase year-on-year (y/y).

Meanwhile last month 383,619 visitors used Georgia as a transit country - a 54 percent increase y/y.

The remaining 243,765 people came for other purposes, such as business, which was a 3.5 percent increase compared to 2014.

Statistic showed most guests who visited Georgia last month came from Turkey, which was a 10 percent increase y/y, while the number of guests from Azerbaijan also increased 7.5 percent. The next highest number of visitors were from Armenia (24.7 percent more), followed by Russia (23 percent more) and Ukraine (5.6 percent more).

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.