Winter Season opens in Georgia`s Gudauri ski-resort

Winter Season has officially opened in Gudauri ski resort located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. It has been snowing for three days in Gudauri.

Road to the resort has also been opened. Due to the heavy snowfall, traffic movement was blocked for a while, although all the impediments have already been removed.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=40080&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=

Hello,

I'm not sure whether the resort is such a good destination for skiing, as we were there in september 2010; the touristic infrastructure was almost dead there.
does anybody know something concrete?

we have posted gadauri photos in our georgia travel guide Georgien Reisebericht (http://m-hesse.com/Georgien_Reisebericht.html)
english index of our site can be found here m-hesse.com/english (http://www.m-hesse.com/english)

Hi, just passing by, would love to see Georgia tourism pics on this thread...thanks.:)

Привет, все грузинским форумчанам!
Планирую этим летом посетить Тбилиси. Хотелось бы, получить советы по съему недорогого жилья в центральных районах города. Так же, интересует, насколько сложно открыть визу гражданину Казахстана, по прилету в Грузию?
Буду признателен, за подробную информацию.

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Batumi Getting Ready to Host 1.5 Million Tourists

The FINANCIAL -- The number of tourists visiting Georgia’s Black Sea region of Adjara in 2011 is supposedly going to reach 1,500,000, Vaja Diasamidze Deputy Chief of the Department of Tourism and Resorts of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, told The FINANCIAL. Preparations to host such a huge number of people have already been started. Plans include improvement of infrastructure, arrangement of new recreation zones in Batumi and in some of the other regions of Adjara too.

This year the first bike-taxis will appear on the streets of Batumi. Special stations will be accepting credit cards.
“We are already organizing bike lanes. The prices haven’t been established yet, though we are trying to make them as affordable as possible. The service will substitute the use of municipal transport to a certain extent,” said Diasamidze.
In 2010 more than 900,000 tourists visited Ajara. This year significant growth of visitor numbers is expected not only of those from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran, but also from Israel, Poland, Ukraine , Belarus, the Baltic States and European countries. As for Georgian holidaymakers, the Department of Tourism and Resorts of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara reports that the largest share come from Kutaisi and Rustavi as well as from the capital.
“The majority of Georgian tourists come from Tbilisi . There are some from other regions too, but still Tbilisi is the major one,” noted Zviad Eliziani, Chairman of the International Business Development and Investment Promotion Centre (IBDIPC).

In May we will start to operate new train lines - Batumi-Baku and Batumi-Azerbaijan. At the same time we will launch bus services between Batumi-Turkey and Batumi-Iran. What’s more charter airlines will be organised with Israel, Iran and Ukraine . As the Department of Tourism and Resorts of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara states, flights between Tbilisi -Batumi will also restart operations, though the prices of the tickets haven’t yet been estimated.

According to Diasamidze ticket prices for trains and buses won’t increase more than in 2010. However airline prices will decrease in comparison to last year. Batumi-Yerevan ticket prices ranged from 14 USD to 58 USD and Batumi-Baku from 29 USD to 90 USD.

Georgians often complain that prices are really inflated in Batumi and therefore often prefer to go to comparatively better value resorts abroad.
“Prices are generally high in Batumi, I agree. If we compare the vacation package price for Batumi to that for Antalya (in Turkey) a tourist can get better offers in Antalya, more value for money, compared to in Adjara. I think there will be the same tendency this year,” said Eliziani.

“When I go to Batumi, I pay great attention to the prices. The location of the hotel or apartment is also very important. Some of them have accessible prices but are situated very far from the coast. It would be perfect if a hotel had its own strip of coastline, but usually such hotels are very expensive. As a young person I find entertainment another important factor, both during the daytime and at night. I think the prices are relatively high in Batumi, especially in comparison to Turkey. If they decrease prices then I’m sure more visitors will go to Adjara this year,” said Irakli, 25.
According to Diasamidze they don’t expect more increases in any price segments due to increasing competition between companies in the region. As he added, in spite of soaring prices on the world market there have not been any drastic changes in the prices of restaurants in Batumi. The Government of Adjara will try to keep the tendency by supplying more local agriculture products in comparison to last year.

“Parallel to the increase of competition this summer season, the volatility of prices has also decreased in comparison to last year. Visitors will have the opportunity to dine out in restaurants for 20-30 GEL per person. The price of a deck-chair will start from 1 USD this summer. A parachute and yacht will cost approximately 25 USD in the high season. As for hotels and guesthouses, there are plenty of them located along the coastline of the whole of Adjara. The prices of the hotels range from 30 USD to 150 USD per night. You can also find hotels, apartments or guest houses, where a person has only to pay from 15 USD to 50 USD per night. It is possible to find apartments at cheaper prices, although they won’t satisfy those with high standards for obvious reasons. As well as such famous hotels as the Radisson BLU Hotel and Hyatt, many other new hotels and guesthouses will start running by the summer 2011,” said Diasamidze.



The Department of Tourism and Resorts of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara promises tourists that in 2011 there will be a more varied entertainment industry, including more restaurants, nightclubs, concerts and festivals as well. Among them will be festivals, exhibitions and shows, which envisage free attendance for tourists.
“BIAFF will be held in September - 17-24 September, 2011. Right now we are working on the festival’s programme and as usual we will offer spectators a very interesting collection of films. There will be several sections of the programme, these are: the International competition (Feature, Documentary and Short films showed separately with an international jury); Silk Road section (films from the Caucasus, Iran, Turkey, Central Asia etc.); Master collection (the latest films of famous filmmakers) etc. The BIAFF festival has free access; every cinema lover can attend the event and workshops/master classes planned during the festival for free,” added Eliziani.


“Tourists in Batumi will have the possibility to purchase plenty of new souvenirs which will be more specific to the Adjara region. There will also be city tour buses with guides within the city and new tourist information agencies at the service of visitors. We will not only offer guides but also a tourist rescue service, which will help visitors find their way through busy places if lost. They will also control the cleanliness of the coastline and secure use of all entertainment aqua equipment,” Diasamidze said.



The Government of Adjara is now repairing the whole of its underground infrastructure including water pipes, and the sewage system. This reconstruction process has been somewhat uncomfortable for visitors. As Diasammidze says, the process is almost finished especially along the coastline and from May there won’t be any problems with transport systems within the city.
“The reconstruction works going on in the city (water system, sewage system etc.) will probably take another 2 years to fully finalize,” said Eliziani.
http://finchannel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=84613&Itemid=99999999

Tourist information center opened in Kutaisi

A tourist information center has been recently opened in Kutaisi. As was reported by Business Georgia, this center is a joint project of the city Mayor's Office and National Tourism Agency at the Georgian Ministry of Economic Development. "Of course, the tourist information center is oriented at foreign guests but our fellow countrymen wishing to go on excursion may also turn to us. We organize excursions throughout the country's territory and provide guides speaking all European languages, as well as Hebrew and Turkish", - officer of the Economic Development Service of Kutaisi Mayor's Office Konstantin Chakhalashvili remarked in an interview to the journalists. According to him, reference information will be provided by the center in three languages: Georgian, Russian and English.

It is stated in the materials of the National Tourism Agency of Georgia that "Kutaisi has got a strategic location, being situated not far from the Black Sea and ski resorts. There are two objects in Kutaisi that are protected by UNESCO, and the territory of archaeological sites in Vani. The rehabilitation of Kopitnari airport that will enable to receive international flights will encourage the increase of the number of guests".

Earlier, such tourist information centers were opened in other Georgian cities: Signagi and Kvareli. In the nearest time, it is planned to open them in Anaklia, Batumi, Gori, Zugdidi and Mtskheta.
http://www.georgiatimes.info/en/news/54533.html

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Tourism boom in Georgia expected to continue
By Salome Modebadze
Wednesday, May 11
Manana Manjgaladze, the President Mikheil Saakashvili’s spokesperson, shared Governmental plans for the upcoming touristic season at the traditional briefing on Tuesday. Emphasizing that the country has been moving to promote tourism, Manjgaladze said that corresponding Governmental bodies have already received instructions to intensify work in this direction from the President. According to the statistical information released by the press speaker, 674 409 tourists have visited Georgia in the first 4 months this year which is 43% higher than the figure for the same period in 2010.

Analyzing the encouraging rise in tourism for 2011, Manjgaladze stressed that a really huge number of tourists is expected to visit the country this year. “We are expecting the visitors all around the country with the renovated infrastructure and it can be said that we are fully ready to receive guests in any region,” Manjgaladze said stressing that “our relief gives us an opportunity to suitably host the visitors both at mountainous or seaside regions”. The President’s spokesperson talked about the successful development of the tourism sector in Georgia, and emphasized that this would finally provide new investments and creates additional jobs in the country.

Meanwhile visiting Zugdidi on May 9 President Mikheil Saakashvili opened the departure line at Zugdidi airport and conducted the first flight on SESNA-type aircraft as a pilot. Promising the local population that the new airport facility designed by a famous Italian architect would soon open, Saakashvili said regular flights from Zugdidi will then be conducted in different regions of Georgia. “Zugdidi is a big city, with more than 100 000 people - this is why it has to be on the map and must have an airport as well. This is only the beginning because we are constructing 10 airfields as a whole. I promised people to open all airports by myself this is why I learned how to conduct planes,” the President stated.

“However the highway will also come up to this place and it will be easier for you to move. So, Zugdidi will not be detached and it will become an important center,” the President of Georgia promised Zugdidi population. The President also welcomed constructions of a big airport in Poti that will end in one year. Explaining that Poti airport will be the biggest airport in the Caucasus, Saakashvili highlighted that it will accommodate international flights.

http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/2354_may_11_2011/2354_salome.html

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More visitors arrive in Georgia
09.06.11
The number of tourists, who arrived in Georgia during past five months, has significantly increased. According to the National Tourism Agency of Georgia, about 900,000 visitors have been officially registered during past five months, which is with 44% more in comparison with the same period in 2010.
The Turk visitors lead the list of the tourists registered in the data base of the Tourism agency; Azeri, Armenian, Russian and Ukrainian visitors follow them.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=41944&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=

Real Treasure of Georgian Nature

28 July 2011
Magic Garden, Sea, Sun, Beaches, Diving and Ajarian Cuisine
According to the Georgian Department of Tourism, the number of tourists visiting Ajara increased by 84% in a year. To be specific, in January-May period of 2011 Ajara received over 103 thousand guests, whereas in the same period of the previous two years the number of tourists was only around 56 thousand (2010) and 10.5 thousand (2009) respectively. Naturally, similar rising trend is expected to continue this season too. The sun, sea and beaches – everything seems to be at hand in Ajara. However, there is more to it. Many unknown treasures of Ajara need to be discovered by tourists so that they fully feel all the rich facets of this fabulous coastal region.
A tourist visiting Ajara should certainly see the mountain resort Beshumi with sites of ancient artifacts. The Basin of Chorokhi River that today flows between Turkey and Georgia used to be one of the major centers of metallurgy in the Bronze Age. No wonder that the whole Ajara region is dotted with sites of Bronze and Iron Age artifacts. You will notice it if you visit Gonio fortress situated in Gonio settlement, near Batumi town. By the way, those tourists who head from Batumi to Kobuleti or other way round have a great opportunity to relish several interesting sites right through the windowless buses. Such buses are a popular means of transportation in Ajara. They add exotics to the atmosphere of the local travelling.
The name of Batumi originates from Greek. In ancient times, the town was called Batius Liman, i.e. “deep bay”. Scientists believe it was here where two ancient cultures – Kolkhian and Antic - used to merge. Batumi is a small, white 150-year old town, built of mostly two-three storeyed buildings. Magnetic smell of coffee starts to fill its streets from the early morning. By the way, old-style tin coffee heaters are still made in Batumi handicraft shops and tourists have an opportunity to purchase these souvenirs as a great memorabilia of the Batumi leisure times.
The most enchanting however is flowering of Batumi magnolia trees. This small white town boasts a myriad of magnolia trees. Their flowering season fills the town with a strong magic aroma.
The Batumi Botany Garden is located on the so called Green Cape (“Mtsvane Kontskhi”), 9 km away from Batumi. The garden provides a fertile environment to many plants coming from different climates and landscapes. Oddly enough, canary palms can be found growing next to Japanese Sakura. Botany Garden accommodates 1200 varieties of roses. What is more, the Botany Garden overlooks the Sea and therefore makes for a place of unique vistas. Alternatively, tourists may choose to observe the Green Cape from sea on a boat. The Botany Garden stays green and flowery the year round. Yet, the time of exceptional beauty starts here from late spring and ends in autumn.
In many hill places such as mount Chirukhi, Jinali, Goderdzi pass, mount Gomi, mount Sasadilo, Sarichai and Koslitavi visitors can rest in summer wooden houses. If you want to grasp the Ajara culture and tradition then you should visit one of its mountainous regions as listed above.
Ajara gastronomic diversity is also astounding. Pakhlava, burme, borano, chirbuli, sinori, Acharian khachapuri – if you want to taste any of these Ajarian dishes, you need to go to the Mountainous Ajara.
Maia Diasamidze, Head of Georgian Department of Tourism: “Opportunities for tourists visiting Ajara are restricted to the beaches. In the last years, infrastructure in Ajara has been undergoing a swift renewal. Thanks to it, today tourists can choose a diversity of sightseeing. For instance, touristic routes in Ajara hills are enriched with chances to taste local cuisine and generally experience local hospitality. The length of the Ajara coast is 57 km. This perimeter features beautiful seaside resorts and other leisure places: Pichvnari, Kobuleti, Bobokvati, Chakvi, Tsikhisdziri, Mtsvane Kontskhi, Makhinjauri, Gonio, Kvariati, Sarpi and of course Batumi.”
Any tour in Ajara includes visits to Batumi aquarium and dolphinarium. When you enter the aquarium, you would immediately feel as if you are in the depths of the sea or ocean inhabited by billions of sea creatures. The aquarium accommodates Black Sea shark, sea stars and many others, a total of 60 sea and ocean creatures. As for the dolphinarium, we heard an interesting story about it from the locals. A few years ago, after the old dolphinarium was dismantled to give way to a modern one, rumors spread across the town that dolphins for the new facility came from the Black Sea despite the international ban on catching Black Sea dolphins. Later, it was revealed that in reality the new tenants of the facility came from Japan! No wonder then that their transportation took 14 hours. During the transportation, the seven dolphins were placed in special containers. Their safety on plane was insured by means of artificial micro-climate.
Summon desire, courage, add equipment and you can instantly find yourself hovering over the bottom of the sea and watching magic scenes of the undersea. Watching, photographing and hunting for sea creatures in their natural environment generate unique feelings and emotions. Undersea caves, ancient town remains and sunken ships attract many adventurists. By the way, the Black Sea is seen as one of the most interesting areas after the Mediterranean Sea in terms of marine archaeology. For instance, near Bobokvati (the village located in Kobuleti municipality of Ajara) archaeologists found remains of the ancient town that existed in VII-VI centuries BC. In 90s of the last century, fisherman’s net caught intact amphora in the Batumi-Tsikhisdziri section. Specialists assumed that the earthenware belonged to the goods transported by an antic ship nearby.
Author: Ema Tukhiashvili

http://georgianjournal.ge/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5720:real-treasure-of-georgian-nature-&catid=27:tourism&Itemid=32

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American and Canadian tour operators visit Georgia
14.09.11
The representatives of American and Canadian tourist agencies arrived in Georgia today and will stay here for seven days to get familiarized with the tourist potential of the country. The guests plan to visit cities of Mtskheta, Kutaisi, Batumi and the Sataplia and Borjomi national parks.
The foreign tour operators are interested in Georgian tourist infrastructure to sell the product in their country afterwards. They are mostly focused on archaeologic tours.
`I have long-time connection with Georgia for many years, I have friends here and I have been here many times. I think that Georgia is under discovered, it has a lot of potential but it has a very low volume of tourism. It definitely can be development more specially from the United States and Canada,` president of the Panorama Travel Company Irina Sina told journalists at the Tbilisi airport.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=43112&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=

Account by State Tourism Department
19.09.11
The State Tourism Department has an account of the tourism development index in Georgia based on the results of the summer 2011. According to the results of the eight months of the year, the number of the visitors to Georgia has increased with 43%.
The year 2011 was also distinguished according to the development of the domestic tourism. The number of the citizens interested in domestic tourism increased with 20% this year.
Half of the 1,800,000 tourists, who arrived in Georgia till September, visited Adjara Region. Along with the sea, new hotels, night clubs and other entertainment centers attracted the visitors in Batumi.
The Tourism Department conducted a special survey by modern methodology and special enquiries, summing up the statistics of the tourism development in the country in eight months of 2011.
The promo videos also influenced the visitors and attracted them to the mountainous regions of Georgia. According to the survey, the average length of the visit to Georgia for foreign visitors is eight days.
Tourist season at the sea side resorts of Georgia continues. The State Tourism Department is expecting three millions visitors to the country by the end of the year.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=43168&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=

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Cheese festival underway in Sighnaghi, Georgia
25.09.11
Cheese Festival is taking place in the town of Sighnaghi in Georgia`s eastern region. 60 types of cheese, which have been transported from different regions of the country have been presented at the event.
All participants of the festival are able to taste any type of the cheese they like.
At the festival presentation of a revived technology for preparing a unique type of cheese stuffing was also held.
Different accessories and souvenirs made of cheese are also presented at the festival.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=43235&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=

Russian tour operators arrive in Georgia
29.09.11
`Batumi - the Adjara Tourism Marvel` - Russian tour operators have began to work on a new tourist direction with this slogan. Sixteen representatives of various tourist companies from the Russian Federation are paying a visit to Adjara to look into the tourist potential of Georgia`s seaside region.
They will stay in Georgia until October 2. Until then the tour operators will visit old and new districts of the Adjarian city, boulevard, botanical garden and the wine house, mountainous tourist routes of Adjara and taste local dishes.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=43278&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=

Most visitors to Georgia come from Armenia
By Messenger Staff
Friday, November 4
According to statistics published on November 1, this year almost three million visitors entered Georgia. Leading in these numbers were visitors from Armenia, then from Turkey, Russia and EU countries, Ukraine and Iran, in that order. Foreign entries have continued to increase since 2006.

http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/2478_november_4_2011/2478_econ_one.html

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Adjara Tourism Department`s annual report
04.01.12
Tourism Department of the Adjara Region summed up the year 2011 at the briefing today. Department`s authorities say the year was very successful from the point of view of the tourist attraction, as the number of visitors to the region increased with 39%.
In 2012, the department offers five novelties to the visitors in 2012. Within the infrastructure development project, the department foresees opening of new hotels, new tourist info-centers, holding agriculture exhibitions, development of cycle racing in Batumi and skiing-tourism in mountainous regions of Adjara.
The head of the Adjara Tourism Department Vazha Diasamidze said the international prize given to Batumi as the best resort city and the record number of visitors in winter proved that the region was developing. He said the results were satisfactory, however, the department would intensify its efforts to improve these results.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=44276&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=

Train speed increases on Georgian railway
16.01.12
The speed of the rolling-stock on Georgian railways will increase from today on. For the first time in the history of Georgia, the passenger train will move 120 km/h and the Tbilisi-Poti section of the railway will be passed in 4 hours and 45 minutes; while the fast train will arrive from Tbilisi to Batumi in 5 hours and 15 minutes.
The length of the travel time from Tbilisi to Batumi by train will take only 3 hours after the project of Fast Railway is accomplished. The project is due to be over in 2013.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=44365&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=

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В Аджарии количество пассажиров, перевезенных морским транспортом в 2011, составило более 23 000 человек.

Количество пассажиров, перевезенных морским транспортом, составило 23 141 человек. По информации департамента транспортной политики Министерства финансов и экономики Аджарии, по сравнению с 2010 показатель перевозок пассажиров возрос на 7%.
В 2011 количество перевезенных железной дорогой пассажиров по направлению Аджарии составило 1 061 813 человек, что на 44% превышает показатель за 2010.
Из Батумского международного аэропорта в 2011 количество выполненных рейсов составило 3 516, что на 1 554 рейса превышает показатель предыдущего года. Что касается пассажиров, то их количество составило 133 890 человек, что на 48% больше показателя 2010.
По данным за 2011, в Аджарии, количество перевезенных пассажиров автомобильным транспортом, междугородними, межрайонными и международными регулярными маршрутами, составило 1 879 400 человек.

Грузию посетят индийские тур-операторы

2 февраля Грузию посетят индийские тур-операторы. Как заявил сегодня в гостинице «Редиссон» президент Торгово-промышленной палаты Грузии Каха Баиндурашвили, они ознакомятся с туристическим потенциалом страны. А в марте Грузию с этой же целью посетят ливийские тур-операторы.

По пояснениям Кахи Баиндурашвили, это является результатом успешного визита, осуществленного Торгово-промышленной палатой в Ливию и Индию. По его словам, представители грузинской стороны встретились и с представителями ливийских банков. Они выразили готовность профинансировать совместные грузино-ливийские проекты.

Напомним, что при организации Торгово-промышленной палаты в гостинице «Редиссон» прошла встреча «Экономические перспективы и палата в 2012 году».


http://www.btime.ge/page.html?id_node=375&id_file=2987

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Number of foreign visitors up 45% over last year
By Messenger Staff
Thursday, May 3
According to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than 2.8 million people visited Georgia in 2011. Between January and April of 2012, the country has received nearly 1 million visitors – a 45% increase over the same period last year – with over 300,000 in April alone.

This year, the majority of visitors were from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, and Iran. The number of tourists from EU member states has increased substantially and even exceeded the number of tourists from Ukraine and Iran. Visitors from Austria and Moldova increased 73% and 83% respectively.

Since the government removed the visa requirement for Russian citizens, the number of Russian visitors has increased. At the Larsi border crossing alone, the number of Russians entering Georgia has quadrupled. Visits from Russian citizens increased by 98% in April, compared to the same month last year.

http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/2599_may_3_2012/2599_econ_one.html

Hi Guys!

do you know where can I find weather forecast for Georgia (especially for Kazbek / მყინვარწვერი) for next few days?

greetings from Poland :)

do you know where can I find weather forecast for Georgia (especially for Kazbek / მყინვარწვერი) for next few days?

greetings from Poland :)[/QUOTE]


http://meteo.gov.ge/index.php

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Record number of visitors observed in Georgia in June
01.07.12
Georgia`s Interior Ministry has published the results of data on foreign visitors entering the state border of Georgia. The report has been prepared by the department of information and analysis of the ministry.
According to the statistics, in June of 2012, 390 808 visitors traveled to Georgia, what overtops the number of visitors by 72% for the same period of 2011 and substantially exceeds the most active period (August) of the past year. Therefore there is a pre-condition for this season to be “hot” in the direct as well as figurative sense. As for the first six months of the current year, the country has already been visited by 1 690 493 people and in the same period 53% increase in the number of visitors is observed.
In first six months of 2012 it has become a tradition that the majority of visitors entering Georgia were from the neighboring countries, among them Turkey (145%) and Ukraine (56%) should be outlined for the growing number of visitors not only in comparison with results of past year’s same period, but also to compare with results of previous month (14% and 41% respectively). Number of visitors has also increased from Russian Federation (100%) Armenia (35%) Azerbaijan (32%) and Iran (68%). Substantial growth of the number of travelers is also observed from EU states and even overtopped results of Ukraine and Iran. Citizens of Poland, Moldova and Austria have also been active with 46% 40% and 63% respectively.
Results showed that after imposing visa free regime for the citizens of Russia the number of Russian visitors has increased substantially, and this tendency is still preserved which can be proved by comparing current results (100% growth) with the same period of 2011. In June 2012 the index of average monthly growth has increased from 85% to 89% as a result of imposing visa free regime for the citizens of Russian Federation.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=45912&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=0

Over 200 thousand Russian tourists came to Georgia during last 6 months

02.03.2013 (HTN - Hvino Tour News) The number of Russian tourists in Georgia is significantly increasing. According to National Tourism Agency, from September 2012 to February 2013, the number of Russian tourists in Georgia has exceeded 204 thousand, which is 72% more than in the same period a year ago.

“Elite Travel Tour'' agency confirms that the inflow of Russian tourists increased compared with last year saying that introduction of visa-free regime with Russia played a significant role.

http://tour.hvino.com/

Количество визитеров в Грузии возросло на 21%

В апреле 2013 года государственную границу Грузии пересекли 362 695 визитеров, что на 21% превышает показатель аналогичного периода прошлого года. Об этом сообщает МВД Грузии.

Что касается показателя за январь-апрель, то в этот период количество визитеров составило 1 291 593, что на 32 процентов превышает показатель аналогичного периода 2012 года. по показателям условного разделения, следующая картина:
1. турист - 469 095 визитов (36% от общего количества. На 26,6% больше по сравнению с прошлым годом);
2. транзит - 202 697 визитов (15,7% от общего количества, рост - 54%);
3. другое - 619 7801 визитов (48% от общего количества, рост - 30%). В апреле 2013 года, наибольшее количество визитеров, вновь прибыло из Турции (+2,7%), Азербайджана (11,6%), Армении (+50,8%), России (+49,3%), Украины (+80,2%) и Ирана (+11%).

Тенденция роста сохраняется и в отношении стран ЕС, откуда, в апреле, особенным ростом отличилась Польша (60%), из стран средней Азии - Узбекистан и Казахстан (41 и 30 процентов), а из стран восточной Европы, Белоруссия - 32 процента.

http://www.btime.ge/page.html?id_node=375&id_file=4363

http://www.btime.ge/page.html?id_node=375&id_file=4363

Я надеюсь наш форум в этом сыграл огромную роль! :cheers:

Tourism prospects in Georgia
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, May 29
During the United National Movement (UNM) governance, the tourism industry was the leading segment of Georgian economic development, as UNM leaders conducted expensive advertising campaigns around the world. The Georgian Dream coalition is not following this strategy, although the ruling party still considers tourism as an important sector.

Statistical data has suggested that already in 2013, the number of incoming tourists is increasing compared to the same period last year. More than 1 million foreign tourists have visited the country so far. Tourists enter Georgia from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, etc.

http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/2870_may_29_2013/2870_econ_one.html

Number of foreign visitors of Georgia grew by 32% over first months of 2013

06.06.2013. During the first four months of 2013, the number of international travellers in the country amounted to 1,291,593, which is 32% more in comparison with the same period of 2012. The number was 978,521 in the same period of the previous year. Visitors from neighbouring countries occupy the largest share of these increased figures. Georgia plans to host over 5 million visitors by the end of 2013.

The number of incoming international travellers from neighbouring countries amounted to 1,159,009 which is 285,486 higher than in the first four months of last year (a 33% increase). The number of Russian travellers also increased this year. Georgia hosted 57,395 Russian travellers more this year, 77% more than in the same period of last year. Travellers from Ukraine, Egypt, Iraq and Iran also increased.

“Political stability, transportation, impressions from previous visits and marketing activities in which our administration is engaged are the main factors causing this increased number of international visitors,” according to Rusudan Mamatsashvili, Head of the Planning and Development Department at the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA).

“Due to the significant increase in international travellers in the first four months of 2013, it is anticipated that this trend will continue over the next few years. As previous years’ data shows, summer is the peak time for travellers’ entrance to the country. Therefore, we predict that in 2013 Georgia will host more than 5 million international travellers,” said Mamatsashvili.

Last year 1,500,000 tourists visited Adjarian resorts. Out of this number 850,000 were foreigners. “We expect that the total number of travellers in Adjara will reach 1,550,000 and the number of foreigners will exceed 870,000,” she added.

This year many entertaining events will be held in Georgia similar to those held last year. The Borjomi Rafting Championship will be held on 15-16 June for amateur sports enthusiasts. On 21-23 June a cultural-sports event will take place for disabled people. On 29 June theatrical performances will be held in Akhaltsikhe and on 6 July a Georgian dance festival will be held in Kutaisi. The Gudauri cycling marathon will start on 13 July and on 27 July the watermelon festival will be held in Sighnaghi.

The most popular destinations for foreign visitors in Georgia are: Tbilisi - with 45%, and Batumi, with a slightly lower percentage - 40%. Other cities have fewer visitors. The share is as follows: Marneuli - 8%, Rustavi - 7%, Kobuleti - 5%, Mtskheta - 4%, and Kutaisi - also 4%. Other places have less than 4%. It is interesting that among those who visit Georgia for recreation, entertainment and leisure the top destination is Batumi with 65% and only one third (36%) visit Tbilisi. Kobuleti is visited by just 9% of foreign visitors.

According to Mamatsashvili, total expenditure of international visitors amounted to GEL 1,411 million last year. This year’s figures are currently in the process of being calculated. Food and beverage - with 28%, and accommodation - with 21%, make up the largest share of foreign visitors’ expenditures.

“The majority of foreign visitors - 86%, are from neighbouring countries: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. This tendency has lasted for a long time and we do not expect any significant changes in this regard,” Mamatsashvili said.

http://tour.hvino.com/2013/06/number-of-foreign-visitors-of-georgia.html#more

Flow of tourists in Mestia grows after a failed winter season

07.06.2013 (Hvino Tour News) Flow of visitors increased by 50% compared to previous months. After a failed winter season the local hoteliers talk about increased number of visitors.

According to the administration of Tetnuldi hotel, compared with the previous months, the number of tourists has increased by 50%. Summer season is already open and 40% of rooms are booked. Japanese, French and German tourists prevail over locals in the resort. The hotel management says that prices are similar to last year: a price of a single rooms is 140GEL, while a double room costs 180 GEL. This price includes two meals a day as well.

Mestia Hotel also talks about increase of visitors. The hotel management notes that compared with
the previous months the flow of visitors increased by 50%. As for the prices, Mestia's management reduced prices to attract clients, and a double room now costs 100 GEL instead of 120 GEL.

© HTN (Hvino Tour News)

http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/edgar-prib-zu-e-frankfurt/topic/ansicht_154_996904_seite17.html

57% of visitors to Georgia Jan-Mar 2013 were tourists

20.06.2013. 57 percent of foreigners who crossed the border into Georgia in first quarter of 2013 were tourists, according to the first result of a report conducted by the Georgian National Tourism Administration.

Giorgi Sigua, head of the administration, said while presenting the report at Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel that the remaining share of visitors are people who didn’t stay in the country for more than a day.

The presentation was attended by representatives of tour operators, hotels, restaurants and air companies.

Sigua noted that Georgia still doesn’t have a strategy for tourism, but there are already plans to implement certain structural changes, and to set up regional management organizations, while lawyers are working on preparing a law on tourism.

During the presentation, the tourism administration presented the results of a survey on local tourism conducted from January to March 2013.

According to the results, 57 percent of visitors had tourism as a goal, while the other 43 percent stayed no longer than one day. 38 percent came to spend their holiday here, while 20 percent were visiting friends and relatives. 19 percent were crossing through Georgia as a transit country.
The most popular destination apart from the capital Tbilisi was Batumi, a coastal resort on the Black Sea.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs groups data about people crossing the border into three categories: A tourist is a foreigner who crosses the state border and remains in the country no less than 24 hours and no more than one year. A transit visit is a visit by a foreigner who crosses the border and after no longer than 24 hours goes on to a third country. The third category is ‘the rest’, all other types of visits.

According to the most recent data from the ministry, in first five months of 2013 there came 469 095 tourists; 202 697 transit visit and other type of visits numbered 619 801.

http://tour.hvino.com/2013/06/57-of-visitors-to-georgia-jan-mar-2013.html#more