Adjara region’s tourism budget to reach $5,98mln with self-government head pledging “outstanding” year

The budget of the Tourism Department of western Georgia’s Black Sea region of Adjara will hit ₾16 million ($5,98 mln) this year, with regional Government head Tornike Rizhvadze pledging to ensure 2023 is an “outstanding” year for the locality.

In his comments on this year’s tourism-related spending in the region on Thursday, Rizhvadze said the funding would look to ensure hosting of international events in Adjara.

The region has been selected as the destination for the gala event of the World Travel Awards, a major occasion for the international tourism industry, as well as the European U21 Football Championship, the latter co-hosted by Georgia and Romania.

Rizhvadze said the development of tourism in mountainous parts of Adjara remained an “important task” in the local Government agenda, and added the creation and development of new tourism products would have a 51 percent increased funding, while development of services would enjoy a budget increased by up to 43 percent.

Funds will also be spent on the promotion of local tourism in both domestic and international markets through “top-rated media outlets” as well as bloggers and influencers, Rizhvadze added.