Georgia “one of the safest countries” with “fastest growing economy” - PM at ITB Berlin
PM Irakli Garibashvili on Monday addressed the opening event of ITB Berlin. Photo: Government press office
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Georgia is “one of the safest countries” and enjoying “one of the fastest-growing” economies, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Monday at the opening event for the ITB Berlin international tourism fair that is showcasing Georgia as its Host Country in the German capital.
The PM told the audience of the launch event his country was achieving the safety and economic output despite being faced with challenges, presenting an attractive proposition for potential visitors.
He also told those attending the opening show of the fair Georgia was striving to become a “member of the European family” with its “rich and unique history and culture”.
Had a privilege to host the opening ceremony of #ITBBerlin in ???????? & share concept of ????????'s infinite hospitality with international community, as well as highlight our potential as a hub for tourism. Being rich in cultural and natural treasures, ???????? has a lot to offer to the world! pic.twitter.com/i22pXXxMzm
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) March 7, 2023
He stressed his Government was doing its “utmost” to achieve “fully-fledged membership” of the European Union, following last year’s decision of the bloc to grant Georgia a European perspective and outline priorities for granting it a membership candidate status.
Current efforts of every Georgian are directed towards the day when Georgia will eventually secure its place on the map of Europe, which we deserve with our history and culture, our past and modernity; the day when we will proudly say together with you that we are hosts in Europe”, Garibashvili said.
He also said the country’s history, culture and inheritance had demonstrated Georgians were “not only a part of, but co-creators of, the modern European civilisation”.
The Government head noted the ongoing occupation of 20 percent of his country’s territories by Russia, and noted the ongoing conflict in Ukraine that he said had triggered “additional security threats” to Georgia and the wider world.
Let the show begin! Official Host Country of this year's #ITBBerlin, #Georgia, welcomes the global #travel industry with a gigantic show. You cannot be LIVE in Berlin? Join the #livestream on https://t.co/muB3M0r72m & ITBxplore. pic.twitter.com/xO5VuB6O8l
— ITB Berlin (@ITB_Berlin) March 6, 2023
In his speech, the PM once again condemned Russia’s “devastating war” in Ukraine through its “unfair and unjustified invasion” of the country.
ITB Berlin hosted its launch event featuring dignitaries on Monday, with the fair opening its door to the general public between Tuesday and Thursday. A programme introducing Georgian history, culture, cuisine, performing arts and tourist destinations is being offered to those visiting the fairgrounds in the capital city.
See the PM's full speech here.
Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, on Monday expressed his “deep gratitude” to the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili for the country’s “esteemed hosting” of ITB Berlin, a major international tourism fair running in the German capital through Thursday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday highlighted the long-running tradition of winemaking on the territory of Georgia in his address at the formal launch of ITB Berlin, a major international tourism fair showcasing Georgia as the Host Country in the German capital.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday launched this year’s edition of ITB Berlin, a major international tourism fair running in the German capital and featuring Georgia as the Host Country, by highlighting hospitality as a “trademark” of the country to an audience of 2,500 in the opening event.
Robert Habeck, the German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, on Monday praised the legacy of Georgia’s 1918-1921 Republic by saying the country had “laid the foundation for democracy” with the experiment, in comments at the opening event of the ITB Berlin tourism fair showcasing Georgia as the Host Country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday delivered a keynote speech at the opening event for the ITB Berlin international tourism fair that is showcasing Georgia as its Host Country in the German capital. Agenda.ge offers its readers the full speech of the Georgian official.
Georgian-German economic relations, priority areas of cooperation and ways of further developing them were discussed on Tuesday by Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Robert Habeck, the Vice Chancellor of Germany on the sidelines of ITB Berlin, a major tourism fair showcasing Georgia as the Host Country in the German capital.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday denounced the domestic opposition as being in an “absolutely retrograde” state, claiming their “credibility” was “gone” and that citizens of the country could observe the circumstance for themselves.
Norbert Fiebig, the President of the German Travel Association, on Tuesday praised the “very impressive” opening event for ITB Berlin, a major international tourism fair that showcases Georgia as its Host Country in the 2023 edition.
Future plans, including the possibility of starting the construction of the Kempinski hotel in Georgia, were discussed on Tuesday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Bernold Schroeder, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kempinski Group.
The prospects of deepening cooperation between Georgia and Saudi Arabia were discussed on Tuesday between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Ahmed Al Khatib, the Tourism Minister of Saudi Arabia, at the meeting in Germany.
The “severe” situation in security environment, humanitarian and human rights in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia and along the occupation line were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Dimitrios Karabalis, the new Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia.
Multilateral relations and “fruitful cooperation” between Georgia and Armenia were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Zhanna Andreasyan, the Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.
David Ruetz, the Senior Vice President of Messe Berlin, the fairgrounds that hosted the ITB Berlin international tourism fair this week, on Thursday said the Georgian national stand, the country’s representation at the event and the promotion of its tourism products had received “special attention” from visitors.
Georgia's Host Country status of ITB Berlin, a major international tourism fair that closed in the German capital this week, will lead the country to “new target markets” and attract more visitors, Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development said on Friday.
Dirk Hoffmann, the Managing Director of Messe Berlin fairgrounds that are hosting this year’s edition of the ITB Berlin tourism fair, on Monday said he was glad to see Georgia as the Host Country of the event.