Magnolia 2016 Awards Best Touristic Establishments

Magnolia 2016, a ceremony held in Adjara, saw a number of regional tourist facilities awarded for best service last week. Hotel chain Hilton was named as the Best International Hotel Chain in terms of service in the region, while restaurant Ukrainochka was named the Best Food Establishment. Chairman of the Government of Adjara, Zurab Pataradze, awarded the winners.

The award ceremony was attended by around 200 representatives of the tourism industry, governmental and non-governmental sector. Overall, ten nominations were named:

• Best Hotel Chain: Hilton Batumi

• Best Location Site: Coliseum Marina

• Best Food Establishment: Restaurant Uktainachka

• Best Village-based Family Hotel: ‘Zebo’ Zabur Bokvadze

• Best Touristic Attraction: Botanic Garden

• Best Museum: Batumi Study of Art Museum

• Best Touristic Route/Sight: 1. Green Lake 2. Makhutseti

• Best Tourism Agency: Adjara Tour

• Best Tour Guide: Lela Gabelia

• Best New Touristic Product: Goderdzi Resort

During the award ceremony, the Acting Chairman of the Department of Tourism, Mamuka Berdzenishvili, awarded certificates of appreciation to people who have contributed to the region’s tourism development and promotion.

Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to:

• Training and Consulting Center coaches:

Besik Shavishvili

Jeiran bejanidze

Irakli Baramidze

Miranda Gorgiladze

Irma Kalandadze

Zviad eliziani

Ekaterine Gogiberidze

Arsen Romanadze

• Institutions and private individuals:

Ilia Sirabidze, Chairman of the National Food Agency Adjara

Nugzar Tsetskhladze, Head of Batumi City Hall Municipal Health Service Sanitation Department

Khusein Sirabidze, Department of Emergency Management

Leila Shaviashvili, journalist, Public Broadcaster Adjara TV

Tamar Lomadze,Admin of Facebook page Batumi

Zurab Sikharulidze, Director of the Directorate of Roads of Adjara

Izolda Machutadze, Visiting Professor of Shota Rustaveli State University, Ecology Department.

The Department of Tourism held Magnolia 2016 for the second time with the aim of improving and stimulating the tourism industry in the region.

The winners were selected based on a customer survey done by Department of Tourism. Consumer research was carried out online and face-to-face over three months and a total of 1200 tourists/consumers were interviewed. The study also included the Trip Advisor, Booking.com and Facebook.com evaluations from tourists.

The Adjara Department of Tourism used not only survey results but also recommendations of representatives of accommodation, catering facilities, transportation companies, and tour guides. The Department also considered the results of the "Recommended by the Department of Tourism’ project in order to select the winners.

Natia Liparteliani