by Grigol Asatiani Georgian National Tourism Administration Programme funded by the EUROPEAN UNION Regional and National Support Mechanisms on Tourism, The Case of Georgia by Grigol Asatiani Georgian National Tourism Administration BSB-TOUR project has been financed from the European Union and the Joint Operational Programme “Black Sea Basin 2007-2013”.

Doing Business in Georgia Programme funded by the EUROPEAN UNION Doing Business in Georgia Country’s impressive progress in improving business climate has been well documented in a number of international indices Ease of Doing Business Index of Economic Freedom Source: The Heritage Foundation, 2013 (Rank out of 183 countries) Source: World Bank, 2013 (Rank out of 183 countries) BSB-TOUR project has been financed from the European Union and the Joint Operational Programme “Black Sea Basin 2007-2013”.

Opportunities in Tourism Fast growing sector Number of visitors increased 57% reaching 4 428 221 and 21% in 2013 reaching 5 365 356 Majority of visitors come from: Turkey 30%, Azerbaijan 20%, Armenia 24%, Russia 14%, Europe 8% Average duration: of stay 5 nights Overall capacity >37 000 According to Rough Guides, Georgia ranks 5th among the World's tourist countries to visit Already operating hotels-Sheraton, Radisson, Marriot, Holiday inn, (under construction-Kempinski, Hilton) etc. Potential Youth Olympics 2015, UEFA Super Cup 2015 Free tourism zones Availability of gambling business-gaming is partially or completely banned in Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Israel, Iran, Iraq 8 National Parks 2400 springs of mineral waters BSB-TOUR project has been financed from the European Union and the Joint Operational Programme “Black Sea Basin 2007-2013”.

International arrivals in Georgia According to UNWTOs report World Tourism Barometer Georgia had the highest number of increasing international visitors in Europe BSB-TOUR project has been financed from the European Union and the Joint Operational Programme “Black Sea Basin 2007-2013”.

Contribution of Tourism to Economy International Tourism receipts (X1000 USD) Share of Tourism in GDP Source: National Bank of Georgia BSB-TOUR project has been financed from the European Union and the Joint Operational Programme “Black Sea Basin 2007-2013”.

More international luxury hotel chains are coming to Georgia Existing Hotels Upcoming international hotel brands before 2015 Airlines Flying to/from Georgia Batumi Tbilisi Batumi Tbilisi Batumi Tbilisi Likani

Key Directions Preparation of tourism development strategy Development of tourism law, taking into account recommendations of EU Twinning Project Establishing Destination Management Organizations (DMO) Creation of Convention bureau Tourism Quality Mark Online tourism market: adding innovative function to Georgia.travel Hotline for Tourists

Regional Development Development of new tourism products and diversification of the existing ones Adventure Tourism Development (kayaking, horse-riding tours, waling tours in mountains of Georgia, etc.) Agricultural and Farming Tourism development Wine tourism development (International Wine Conference in Georgia-2014; Georgian wine tourism map) Inclusive Tourism development Introduction of Navigation Satellite systems in mountain regions of Georgia Creation of theme application for Androids and IOS

Regional Development Development of small-scale infrastructure New tourist information centers (Tbilisi-Leselidze st.; Poti; Bakuriani, kazbegi; Tsitelsofeli; Ananuri; Zugdidi) Touch screen information monitors (Tbilisi) City information and interpretation desks (Mestia; Tskaltubo; Gori; Stephantsminda; Borjomi; Akhaltsixe; Rustavi; Bolnisi; Gurjaani)

Regional Development Promotion of Domestic Tourism: Events Summer Season Events (Inclusive tourism promotion, Bicycle Marathon, watermelon festival, etc.) Autumn Season Events (Wine Festival, Georgian Culinary day, etc.) Winter Season Events (Opening Of Season in Mestia, Christmas Market, etc.)

Marketing International Tourist Fairs (2013): Japan - JATA Great Britain- WTM Spain - EIBTM Poland - PITF Organization of Routes 2014 (Tourism and Aviation Expo) in Georgia Press Tours: Turkey Russia Kazakhstan Baltic Scandinavia Benelux Countries Other target markets

Marketing Marketing campaigns on international markets Turkey Kazakhstan Israel Poland Ukraine Baltic Campaigns include: Georgia - This is Life Outdoor advertisement Online marketing Print media Television (participation in different programs and talk shows of the popular channels)

International Relations World Tourism Organization(UNWTO) Georgia is a vice chairman of a UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe and a member of UNWTO Committee on Statistics and Tourism Satellite Accounts Active participation in projects of the organization ICCA International Conference and Congress association National Tourism Administration became a member (2013) GUAM Introduction of GUAM tourism product to remote markets BSEC Working on common tourism projects of BSEC countries International Agreements Signing agreements of cooperation in the field of tourism with foreign states

Survey Results: International Tourism Activities Undertaken Popular destinations 2013

Survey Results: Domestic Tourism 2013

Survey Results: Domestic Tourism 2013

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