National Geographic Team Visits Georgia to Prepare Publications
National Geographic will publish extensive materials on Georgia to promote tourism in the region, the Ministry of Economy announced Monday.
The Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Nikoloz Alavidze, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Khvtisiashvili, met with the Editor in Chief of National Geographic’s Traveler magazine, Justin Kavanagh to discuss the future content.
On his visit to Georgia, Kavanagh will visit Tusheti and its national park, Kakhekti, Kazbegi, and Vashlovani national park to ‘get acquainted with the growing tourism potential of the country,’ stated the Ministery of Economy.
Kavanagh has been interested in featuring Georgia and the country’s growing tourism potential since April, when he received information on Georgia’s wine culture, cuisine, traditions, and nature.
National Geographic will feature Georgia in magazines, catalogues and on social media, using visual material taken during the visit. “We are very pleased to be in Georgia and impressed with the county’s hospitality,” said Kavanagh.
The National Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgian and the Embassy of Georgia to Ireland helped to co-ordinate the visit.
“I hope that the National Geographic group, led by Justin Kavanagh, will be able to spread the relevant information via his publications and it will help us to increase the interest of tourists who plan their tours through publications such as National Geographic,” noted Nikoloz Alavidze. “It is important for us to cooperate with this publishing group.”
Since the Russian-Georgia flight embargo imposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin from July 8, the Georgian government has been working to promote tourism to Georgia. In July, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava announced that the government has various projects to encourage tourists to visit the country.
“We have ongoing contracts with CNN, Bloomberg and National Georgraphic where Georgia is advertised and popularized as being a safe and attractive country for tourists,” she said. “Marketing plans and campaigns have also been implemented in the Baltic States, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine.”
National Geographic has already featured Georgia in their publications numerous times. They also run regular tours through Georgia and Armenia.
Where is National Georgraphic Going?
Tusheti
Known as one of the last truly wild places in Europe, Tusheti is often considered to be Georgia’s most beautiful region. Bordering Chechnya and Dagestan on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the mountainous area witnessed centuries of fascinating history and culture which still lives on today. As there is no public transport to Tusheti, you will need to drive with a 4X4 vehicle or pay for a driver to Omalo village.
Vashlovani
Rolling emerald hills give way to unique wavering rock formations and shallow forests as you descend southerly into Vashlovani National Park. Located close to Georgia’s border with Azerbaijan, you can find rare species of birds, an abundance of snakes and animals here that you would maybe expect to see on African safari rather than in Georgia, such as jackals, gazelles, and hyenas. To enjoy the wilderness of Vashlovani park, you will need a 4X4 vehicle that is capable of off-road driving. You should also try and visit in dry weather as the roads can become very muddy.
Kazbegi
Perhaps Georgia’s most well-known national park, Kazbegi is known for its stunning mountains and diverse nature. Brown bears, Lynx, birds of prey, Caucacasian snowcok, Caucasian black grouse, and over 1,347 species of plants call the wild mountain slopes home. To visit Kazbegi, you can easily take a marshrukta from Didube bus station in Tbilisi to Stepantsminda village.
By Amy Jones