Economy Minister Tours Georgian Resorts

Giorgi Gakharia, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, met with tourism-industry representatives while on a visit to Batumi last week. “Thanks to your outstanding work we’ve reached a record-breaking number of tourists in Georgia and that’s why we would like to hear from you what else can be done to achieve success,” Gakharia told his audience. The meeting was held at the Hilton Batumi, where the Chairman of Adjara, Zurab Pataridze, discussed preparations for the upcoming summer season and its challenges with the owners of local tourism businesses. Ketevan Bochorishvili, the Deputy Minister of Economy, gave a presentation on future tourism projects.

Gakharia noted the importance of the tourism industry for the country’s development and pointed out that the involvement of the private sector and regular meetings with people employed in the tourism sphere are essential. “We hosted six million tourists in 2016 and we have ambitious plans for 2017. We’re trying to start the preparations early and that’s why we’re meeting with tourism sector representatives prior to the summer season to listen to them and plan future activities together,” Gakharia said.

“Tourism sector representatives are here to suggest what services could be developed and what can be done to improve existing infrastructure, including the introduction of new programs,” Pataridze noted.

“As the summer season approaches, the tourism sector has to be ready,” said Sulkhan Glonti, Head of the Adjara Tourism Department. “We’re expecting a large number of tourists on May 20 for the Aerosmith concert and we want Adjara to meet the tourists at its best."

In addition to visiting Batumi, Minister Gakharia went to Svaneti’s Tetnuldi and Hatsvali mountain resorts in Svaneti, where he met with Des Alpes company representatives to discuss potential mountain resort development in Georgia.

“We plan to have new ski lifts connecting Mestia and Hatsvali next year and this will be a step forward for the development of the resorts and for increasing the economic strength of the region,” Gakharia said.

Frederic Marion, a Des Alpes company representative, stressed Svaneti's potential. He said that Des Alpes will share its experience with strengthening ski resort safety and ensuring new norms are set.

Gakharia also visited Anaklia and Ganmukhuri, where he viewed infrastructure works, hotel constructions, and the area where the Gem Fest electronic musical festival will take place for a month this summer.

Nino Gugunishvili