Georgia working on tourism development strategy for 2015-2025
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Georgia is working on the tourism development strategy to set up a national tourism marketing plan and tourism brand for the country.
National Tourism Sector Development Strategy defines the vision of the sector’s development until 2025.
The World Bank and a tourism consulting firm Solimar International were teamed up to help Georgia’s National Tourism Administration to design the strategy. At the same time, state, private sector, non-governmental and international organizations are involved in this process.
The mid-term version of the strategy is already completed. Georgia’s Georgia’s Deputy Economy Minister Ketevan Bochorishvili promised the strategy would be ready "in near future”.
"Tourism development strategy is being prepared with the target groups. As a result we will have strategy which will describe the events and activities that should be implemented until 2025,” said Bochorishvili.
"May was very successful in terms of increase in numbers of tourists. Many activities and events are planned for supporting tourism in Georgia. These activities include marketing campaigns, projects for developing the infrastructure, etc.,” Bochorishvili added.
The Georgian National Tourism Administration said it would spend 7,800,000 GEL on the country’s advertisement abroad in 2015, up from the 4,400,000 GEL of 2014. Despite political and economic instability, Ukraine and Russia remained the target countries for the administration.
"Promotional activities will be selected in accordance with the travel features of specific countries. The main focus will be put on TV, internet, outdoor and printed commercials. We are also actively using international social networks in order to enhance awareness of the country and demonstrate its touristic potential,” said Giorgi Chogovadze, Head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration.
The European Youth Olympic Festival, UEFA Super Cup, EBRD annual meeting and business forum - events that will be hosted by Georgia in 2015, made the country’s administration optimistic about a potentially active flow of tourists coming into the country this year.
Georgia ended 2014 with a record number of international travellers, totaling 5,493,492, or two percent, more than in the previous year.
The number of tourists who visited the country in May 2015 was about 15 percent higher than the same time in 2014, said Georgia’s National Tourism Administration.
A total of 454,545 tourists visited Georgia last month; of this 164,690 people stayed in the country for 24 hours or more.
Meanwhile in the first five months of this year, more than one million visitors came to Georgia.
Georgia is beginning to cement its reputation as a leading tourism destination. The number of tourists who visited the country in May 2015 was about 15 percent higher than the same time in 2014, says Georgia’s National Tourism Administration.
What are you looking for this summer? Delicate Europe? Breathtaking seashores? Modern infrastructure? Untamed nightlife? Wild nature? Divine relaxation? Exotic culture? Or maybe you want it all? Then spend summer in Georgia.
Plans are in place to develop Georgia’s western Guria region into a place that can be enjoyed all year round by tourists.
Visiting friends or relatives is the number one reasons why Georgians travel around their homeland, and shopping appears to be a popular pastime of local travellers.
One of the most environmentally protected villages in the Caucasus will soon open its doors and welcome tourists to its restored historical infrastructure and private hotels.
More than three million international guests spent time in Georgia this year, which shows growing tourism.
Georgia is continuing to experience growth in tourism; more visitors crossed the state border the last month than previous years.
Georgia is continuing to grow its reputation as an up-and-coming international tourist destination and locals are seeking out ways to explore the beauty of their home country.
Georgia’s reputation as a desirable holiday destination is growing, and the latest figures prove it.
Almost five million visitors have come to Georgia this year, and trends show visitor numbers are higher than ever before.
Georgia’s reputation and a popular new tourist destination is gaining traction – more people are visiting the post-Soviet nation and spending a longer time exploring the historic country.
In the first nine months of this year, more than 2.5 million locals visited another region, revealed the National Statistics Office of Georgia, Geostat.
What can Georgia do to boost tourism?
The Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) has revealed the country’s long-term tourism goal is to develop the country as a sought-after tourist destination, increase the international profile of Georgia and bring more benefits to the nation.