Georgian PM stresses Govt’s “ambitious” plans in tourism at hotel opening

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday stressed the country’s Government had “ambitious plans” for tourism development, in comments at the opening of Swissôtel, a premium brand facility in the country’s capital Tbilisi.
 

Kobakhidze said development of the country’s tourism potential was the Government’s “priority” and noted the opening of the hotel in the centre of Tbilisi was “another visible example of the success of the [domestic] tourism industry”.

He said the Georgia’s tourism was “rapidly” developing, and credited infrastructure development with a “key role” in the process. He also noted ₾220 million ($82 mln) had been invested in building hotels in the country over the past 14 months, creating 8,000 new hotel beds.
 

By 2027, approximately ₾1 billion ($376 mln) should be invested in this area, on the basis of which 37,000 new [hotel] beds will be created. Of course, we should do everything together with our partners, investors”, he said.
 

The PM congratulated Emin Uçar, a hotel owner and investor, as well as the leadership of Accor, a French multinational hospitality company, on the opening of the hotel, investments in which amounted to $50 million.
 

 Alexis Delaroff, the Chief Operating Officer of Accor New East Europe, and Uçar also addressed the event, which was also attended by the country’s Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, diplomatic corps and business.