BATUMI “PEARL OF THE BLACK SEA” JANUARY-AUGUST 2017: GEORGIA HOSTS OVER 2.4 MILLION TOURISTS WINE TOUR IN MOUNTAINOUS AJARA
RESTAURANTS & BARS GUIDE IN TBILISI
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Content
Batumi “Pearl of the Black Sea”
Wine tour in mountainous Ajara WEATHER and SEASONALITY in Batumi
attractions of seaside ajara
Jan-Aug 2017: Georgian airports serve 47.92% more passengers
RESTAURANTS & BARS GUIDE in Tbilisi OJAKHURI meat and fried potatoes Special Thanks to: > GEORGIAN NATIONAL TOURISM ADMINISTRATION > GEORGIAN NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION > DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND RESORTS OF AJARA A. R. > AGENDA.GE
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BATUMI
“PEARL OF THE BLACK SEA” Batumi the “Pearl of the Black Sea,” as it is often called is located in the autonomous republic of Adjara. European architects undertook numerous projects in Batumi at the beginning of the 20th century, and today it remains a hub of architectural innovation. One of the most beautiful regions in Georgia, Adjara is situated in southwest Georgia on the Black Sea coastline. Turkey borders Adjara to the south. Adjara’s visitors especially admire the region’s pristine and unaltered nature, and it is particularly intriguing for eco tourists.
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1. Beaches of Adjara Adjara is home to the picturesque beaches of Batumi, Kvariati, Sarpi, Gonio, Tsikhisdziri, Mtsvane Kontskhi (the Green Cape) and Kobuleti. In the summertime, the beaches are filled with tourists enjoying their holidays. Adjara’s beach towns offer well developed infrastructure and fresh, healthy air.
2. Old Batumi One of the oldest cities in Georgia, Batumi was founded in the 8th century, but the initial settlement, Batus, is mentioned in texts that date back to the 4th century BC. Batumi’s interesting historical past has considerably influenced the architectural diversity of city (a number of projects were completed by European architects during the Porto Franco period). Old Batumi’s most historical part is stretched between the seaport and the Boulevard, and features distinctive building facades and balconies. 3. Batumi Boulevard Construction of the 7 km seaside boardwalk begun in 1881 by the famous Prussian gardener and landscape architect Ressler. Two years after the project began, Ressler passed away and Michael D’alfons, a French architect, completed the boulevard. Recently, a Spanish architect designed and constructed a new, modern addition for the boulevard. The coastal line of the boulevard has been beautified with bungalows, café-lounges, restaurants, children’s attractions, benches, sculptures and dancing fountains—making it one of the city’s most attractive tourist destinations.
4. Batumi Botanical Garden Boasting one of the widest varieties of flora in the world, the Batumi Botanical Garden was established in 1912 by the prominent botanist and geographer Andrey Krasnov. The garden is 111 hectares and contains flora from nine phyto-geographic areas: East Asia, North America, New Zealand, South America, the Himalayas, Mexico, Australia, the Mediterranean, and the Caucasian humid subtropics. Visitors can wander the botanical garden by foot or in carts, which can be rented from the garden’s administration. 5. Dolphinarium Located within the 6th of May Park, the Batumi Dolphinarium is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Batumi. The affordably priced and wildly entertaining dolphin show is done in Georgian, Russian, and English. With its construction beginning in 1881, the 6th of May Park is one of Georgia’s oldest public parks. In addition to the Dolphinarium, the 6th of May Park has an aquarium, zoo and amusement rides for children. The park also sells tickets for a relaxing boat tour on Nurigeli Lake.
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BATUMI
“PEARL OF THE BLACK SEA” 6. Piazza Batumi Piazza Batumi is one of the most beautiful squares in Georgia. There are several hotels, cafés, and restaurants located on Piazza Batumi. In just a few short years, the square has become a popular international entertainment venue. It has recently hosted concerts by famous Georgian and foreign performers, including Placido Domingo, Chris Botti, Sting, Macy Grey, Michel Legrand and Tamar Gverdtsiteli.
7. Argo Entertainment Center and Batumi Cable Car 2 km of cable car link Batumi’s waterfront with the Argo Entertainment Center development on Anuria Mountain, sitting at 250 meters above sea level. The complex offers spectacular views of the town, the Black Sea, and the surrounding mountains. The center includes restaurants, cafes, retail shops, open air halls, and roof terraces.
One of the most beautiful regions in Georgia, Adjara is situated in southwest Georgia on the Black Sea coastline. 18 GeorgianDay Magazine
8. Gonio-Apsaros Fortress Gonio-Apsaros Fortress is located 12 km south of Batumi, on the left bank of the River Chorokhi. One of the Georgia’s most ancient settlements was located around this fortress. Due to its strategic location, Gonio-Apsaros became a supporting citadel first for the Romans and later to the Byzantines and Ottomans along the eastern Black Sea coastline. Respectively, the fortress has several layers: the Roman layer (3rd-4th cc BC), the Byzantine layer (6th-7th cc AD) and the Ottoman layer (16th c AD). The history of Gonio-Apsaros fortress references the myth of Jason and the Argonauts. According to the legend, King Aeetes buried his son Apsaros, who was killed by Jason as he fled, in the territory of Gonio. According to some sources, Mathias, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, is believed to be buried here. There is a museum inside the fortress.
9. Makhuntseti Waterfall Makhuntseti waterfall is located near the town of Keda, at 335 meters above sea level. Near the waterfall several picnic sites are available for visitors. While visiting the waterfall it is also possible to visit nearby tourist attractions, including the ancient arched stone Makhuntseti Bridge, Adjarian wine houses, and private wine cellars scattered throughout Keda Municipality. 10. Skhalta Monastery Skhalta Monastery is located in Khulo Municipality, the highest, most mountainous part of Adjara. The main building of the complex is Skhalta Church of the Virgin. It is a single-nave, hall-like church. Judging from its artistic and stylistic peculiarities, it is speculated that Skhalta Monastery was built during the mid-13th cent. The churches notable frescoes were painted in the 14th and 15th centuries. (Source: georgia.travel)
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ATTRACTIONS OF SEASIDE AJARA Tsikhisdziri Distance from Batumi: 17 km Best time to visit: Summer, Autumn Tsikhisdziri resort is located 17 km north of Batumi, 60-90 meters above sea level. The main attraction of Tsikhisdziri is its unique mixture of sea and mountain climates. Summers are rather cool and winters are relatively warm in comparison with Batumi or Makhinjauri. The territory has been settled since ancient times. It used to be a historical city-fortress in western Georgia, namely of the Egrisi Kingdom, due to its military strategic and economically favorable location. In the VI century AD, Byzantine Emperor Justinian built the city of Petra. A narrow coastal road passed through the city territory connecting western Georgian to Byzantium, Iran and Armenia. Many rest houses, restaurants and cafes are located throughout the green slopes and beautiful parks and gardens of Tsikhisdziri. The beach is comfortable and boat rentals are available.
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Sarpi Distance from Batumi: 18 km Best time to visit: Summer, Autumn Sarpi is located 18 km south of Batumi, near the Georgia-Turkey border. Sarpi is a very popular beachside destination. The water is very clear on the resort’s coastline, and the seaside attractions there are very attractive. The average water temperature is +25oC. Hotels and hotel-type cottages are located very close to the beach. Mountain and sea air make for an ideal climate and create a welcoming atmosphere. Also, vacationers can visit the Laz Ethnographic Museum and the historic Church of St. Andrew.
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The coastline of Ajara is a favorite destination among tourists visiting Georgia and is famous for its numerous resort areas.
Kobuleti Distance from Batumi: 25 km Best time to visit: Summer, Autumn
Kvariati Distance from Batumi: 15 km Best time to visit: Summer, Autumn Kvariati is located 15 km South of Batumi, near the Georgia-Turkey border. It is an excellent destination for those looking for a seaside getaway. The water is very clear on the resort’s coastline, and the seaside attractions there are very attractive. The average water temperature is 25oC. Hotels and hotel-type cottages are located very close to the beach. Mountain and sea air make for an ideal climate and create a welcoming atmosphere. In addition, Kvariati is home to the unique historical Gonio Fortress, which was constructed in the 1st century AD. The fortress is located near Kvariati in the village of Gonio.
Kobuleti is the closet resort to the sea in Georgia. It is distinguished by its historical sites, mild subtropical climate, ionized sea air, Pichvnari (pine forest), gentle sun and warm sea. The broad pebbly beach sloping down towards the sea is well equipped with parasols and deck chairs. In addition, different water rides are offered to holiday-makers. There are numerous cafe-bars, restaurants and bungalows in Seaside Park. The mild, humid subtropical climate encourages relaxation as well as medical treatment.
Sea tourism is one of the most popular types of tourism in Ajara. GeorgianDay Magazine 23
ATTRACTIONS OF SEASIDE AJARA Green cape Distance from Batumi: 9 km Best time to visit: Summer, Autumn Located 9 km outside of Batumi, Green Cape (Mtsvane Kontskhi) is one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in Georgia. The area is 70-92 meters above sea level.
Chakvi
Batumi Botanical Garden is located within Green Cape’s picturesque setting. Thousands of visitors come to the garden each year due to its wide variety of flora.
Distance from Batumi: 13 km Best time to visit: Spring, Summer, Autumn Chakvi is located 13 km outside of Batumi. This resort is the historical birthplace of Georgian tea. The Chinese scientist Lao Jin Jao was the first man who started cultivating tea in Chakvi. Chakviis also one of the best locations for birdwatching in Georgia. There is special watchtower for birdwatchers. Hotels and summer cottages are located in the greenery of the Chakvi coastline, which is very popular among the tourists.
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The region’s subtropical climate, warm sea air, seaside resort infrastructure and unique geography are the ideal conditions for vacationers. The total length of the swimming area is 21 km. The average sea temperature is 16.7 oC.
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WHERE TO GO IN BATUMI?
WINE TOUR IN MOUNTAINOUS AJARA
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The route starts from Adjarian Wine House, which is located in Khelvachauri municipality, village Adjaristskali, by the side of Khelvachauri-Keda main road. Here visitors can browse through vineyard, get acknowledged to whole process, in halls arranged in the eastern style and designed with traditional Georgian elements, taste local wines, on the middle floor one can taste Georgian and international cuisine.
From the Ajarian Wine House route continues along the Batumi-Akhaltsikhe main road, approximately in 10 km, we come to the village Makhuntseti where you can see the Makhuntseti arched bridge and waterfall. On the road and near the waterfall visitors can taste and buy local, high quality honey. In the surroundings of the waterfall there is restaurant, where the visitors can taste bioproducts and meet with the Ajarian cuisine. Our route from the Makhuntseti continues along the BatumiAkhaltsikhe main road in the village Pirveli Maisi (same as Saghoreti), where is located Shervashidzeebi’s family cellar, here is possible to taste wines of following varieties: Ojaleshi, Chkhaveri and Tsolikauri, made in oak barrels. The host has his own farm and can offer to the guests bioproducts and accommodation as well. From the Shervashidzeebi’s family cellar the route ends in the village Vaio, where guests can visit 2 family cellars. So called “Makho’s cellar” and Lado Shavishvili’s family cellar; In these places one can taste locally produced wines: Chkaveri, Tsolikauri and Aladasturi and taste local meals. On this route visitors will have the rare opportunity to taste the outstanding wines made from local grape varieties, dishes and learn about the rural life of locals. (Source: GoBatumi.com)
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WEATHER AND The hot, sunny weather and the allure of the Black Sea attract numerous visitors to Ajara in the summertime - the city will be full of local and foreign tourists.
Ajara’s climate is subtropical, with mild winters and hot summers. The Black Sea coastline is humid compared with highland regions. The mountains are distinguished by the considerable amountof snowfall they receive, which sometimes reachesseveral meters. The temperature in the summer reaches 24oC in the plains and 19oC in areas with higher elevations. The average low temperatures in winter in the seaside Adjara is 5oC, whereas in the highland regions are slightly colder (3oC).
Spring Spring in Ajara is warm and pleasant - visitors will find themselves surrounded by the scent of newly bloomed magnolias and colorful camellias.. In Ajara rural tourism,
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bird watching and visiting protected areas become especially interesting in spring time. Those interested in rural tourism can enjoy hiking, camping, rock climbing, wine making, vodka distillation, tasting treating mineral waters and so on.
Summer The hot, sunny weather and the allure of the Black Sea attract numerous visitors to Ajara in the summertime the city will be full of local and foreign tourists. Ajara is home to several resort towns, including Kvariati, Sarpi, Gonio, Chakvi and Kobuleti. All of Ajara’s resort areas are distinguished by their abundance of entertainment venues and tourist facilities.
SEASONALITY IN BATUMI
One of the most beautiful regions in Georgia, Adjara is situated in southwest Georgia on the Black Sea coastline. Turkey borders Adjara to the south.
Autumn
Winter
Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Ajara. The autumn season provides excellent conditions for seaside holidays, rural tourism and wine tourism. In particular, autumn is the vintage period in mountainous Ajara. Visitors can involve themselves in many fun and memorable harvest-related activities, including grape harvesting and wine making.
Ajara also has great potential for further developing ski resorts. During the wintertime, visitors can enjoy the offerings of Gomarduli and Goderdzi resorts. The resorts have ski routes and lifts for visitors to enjoy. Presently, there are numerous guesthouses in the area available to visitors. (Source: GoBatumi.com) GeorgianDay Magazine 31
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dreams come true. WST & CitySightseeing Tbilisi , the leading tour operator in South Caucasus, will always take care of your holiday. Let us be your traveler’s key to the Caucasus region to make sure you enjoy your travel and take unforgettable memories with you. You will be able to cover the wide range of the region’s beautiful landscapes, unique nature and great variety of its climate zones. Feel Georgia’s truly pleasant climate through the year from summer tours for nature lovers and trekkers, until winter tours for skiers and mountain climbers. And in between the autumn beauty of vintage and traditional harvesting. If you happen to be on a business trip, you can still combine your work with great leisure time. From the sea to the top of the mountains, WST & CitySightseeing Tbilisi tour operator, Georgia and South Caucasus are waiting for you. You will travel to the real Paradise. With best wishes, WST & City Sightseeing Tbilisi
DAY TRIPS ANANURI - KAZBEGI MOUNTAINS
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Borjomi mineral springs and park,Vardzia cave town Akhaltsikhe, Rabati fortress
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Bagrati Cathedral, Gelaty Monastic Complex Motsameta Monastery Prometheus cave
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David Gareji, Georgian-Azerbaijani border, The ancient village Martkopi, Martkopi Generic tower, Martkopi monastery to the tomb of st. Anthony
Contact: +995 514 21 77 22 +995 322 43 88 08 info@citysightseeing.com.ge Str. Kote Apkhzi 44 (Meidan Sq.)
www.cstbilisi.com GeorgianDay Magazine 33
8 MOST ROMANTIC PLACES IN BATUMI PANORAMIC WHEEL
ALI AND NINO SCULPTURE
Probably dozens of Hollywood scenes can be recalled in which couple in the highest point of Panoramic wheel enjoys each other and fascinating view. If you wish to repeat this scene and fill yourself real film star you do have this possibility in Batumi and besides what can be more romantic tan sea view?
Heroes from popular novel by Kurban Said – Ali and Nino are impersonating eternal love. Their history is perfectly given in movable monument – lovers are slowly approaching each other and after temporary dates still separating from each other. Temporary dates of Ali and Nino will not live lovers indifferent.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
BATUMI COAST
While searching for romantic environment do not miss Batumi Botanical garden. Marvellous views of sea and mountains and Ajarian flora with its diversity will create good mood to you at any time.
If you decide and you visit Batumi with your beloved you will not need many efforts to find romantic environment. You may simply have a walk at coast, listen to sea noise and meet sunset with your beloved.
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If you have not yet decided where to go with your beloved in pursue of adventures it’s time to think about Batumi – seaside city promises lots of pleasant memories.
ROPEWAY ARGO
DREAM COLUMN
While passing 2586 m ropeway fascinating views will open in front of you – horizon of distanced sea, mountain view and Batumi urban views. At highest point you may enjoy Batumi panoramic view with your beloved which is especially beautiful at night.
You can assess joint work of Lithuanian and Georgian Artists at new Boulevard. Small labyrinth in the centre of which at “Dream Tower” you should make wishes authors dedicated to all dreamers. These exact details will make your trip unforgettable.
LAKE NURIGELI
DANCING FOUNTAINS
If you wish to get far from urban environment and to dedicate the whole day to your beloved you may visit Lake Nuri. Romantic walk on boat in peaceful atmosphere is the perfect situation to feel private with your second half.
Night Batumi offers many pleasant surprises – one of which is fountains which are transformed into theatrical curtain at evening hours. You can enjoy laser show at the background of famous music compositions with your beloved. GeorgianDay Magazine 35
JANUARY-AUGUST 2017: GEORGIAN AIRPORTS SERVE 47.92% MORE PASSENGERS Tbilisi International Airport alone served 2,071,720 passengers between January-August, which was a 42.78 percent increase y/y Passenger numbers at Georgia’s three international airports are on the rise, show the latest statistics from the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency. So far this year, 2,703,117 passengers took regular or charter flights from Georgia’s three main airports: Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport, Batumi International Airport and Kutaisi David Aghmashenebeli International Airport. In the first eight months of 2017 the number of passengers using airports in Georgia increased by 47.92 percent year-on-year (y/y). Tbilisi International Airport alone served 2,071,720 passengers between January-August, which was a 42.78 percent increase y/y. Kutaisi International Airport served 282,945 passengers
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this year – a 82.59 percent increase, while Batumi International Airport served 342,264 passengers on regular or charter flights, which was a 66.36 percent increase y/y. Georgia’s rural airports also saw an increase in passengers’ numbers this year. Queen Tamar Airport in Mestia, Svaneti region, served 4,933 passengers, which was a 98.03 percent increase y/y. Meanwhile, Ambrolauri airport in Georgia’s Racha region served passengers for the first time this year and served 1,255 passengers. In the first eight months of 2017, air transportation of goods also displayed a 39.18 percent rise. (Source: Agenda.ge)
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JANUARY-AUGUST 2017: GEORGIA HOSTS OVER 2.4 MILLION TOURISTS
During the first eight months of 2017 Georgia hosted 5,059,106 international travellers, including 2,402,699 tourists.
This included: • 573,368 tourists* (which is 53.1 percent of all visitors) • 274,878 transits (which is 25.4 percent of all visitors) • 232, 203 other travellers (which is 21.5 percent of all visitors)
In January-August of 2017, a positive trend was also maintained by visitors from the European Union: • Germany - 32 percent increase • United Kingdom - 31 percent increase • France - 29 percent increase • Poland - 20 percent increase • Lithuania - 17 percent increase • Italy - 26 percent increase • Greece - 14 percent increase
The highest number of visitors who came to Georgia in August of 2017 were from: • Armenia - 12 percent increase • Russia - 28 percent increase • Azerbaijan - 19 percent increase • Turkey - 42 percent increase • Ukraine - 4 percent increase • Iran - 85 percent increase
A positive trend was observed from the Near East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and America: • Israel – 40 percent increase • Kazakhstan – 17 percent increase • Uzbekistan - 110 percent increase • Belarus – 31 percent increase • United States – 27 percent increase
Georgia hosted 1,080,449 international travellers in August of 2017, which was 27.4 percent increase compared to the same month of 2016, show data from the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Meanwhile, during the first eight months of 2017 Georgia hosted 5,059,106 international travellers (18.9 percent increase), including 2,402,699 tourists (29.4 percent increase). Ed. - *Tourists are considered individuals that spend more than 24 hours in the country. (Source: Agenda.ge)
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GEORGIA EARNS $4.2M BY EXPORTING 10,800 TONNES OF PEACHES IN 2017
This year peach was mainly exported to Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The peach harvest season is over in Georgia and the country has already exported 10,800 tonnes of peach to several foreign countries – mainly to Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. This year Georgia’s peach exports were 88 percent higher than the same time in 2016, announced Georgia’s Ministry of Agriculture. Georgia earned $4.2 million by exporting peaches abroad. To compare, in 2016 Georgia exported 5,800 tonnes of peach and earned $2.8 million, said the Ministry. The five countries which imported the largest number of
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Georgian peaches this month were Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Russia imported 81 percent of the peaches exported by Georgia, Azerbaijan imported eight percent percent and Armenia imported six percent. This year the wholesale price of peach varied from 20 to 90 tetri. To support the local peach harvest, a special group was created in Gurjaani, in Georgia’s Kakheti region, to help farmers prepare all necessary documents needed during the harvest, processing or export periods. (Source: Agenda.ge)
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GEORGIAN WINE MUSEUM OPENS IN CHINA ‘Window to Georgia’ is the name of the Georgian wine museum.
China is welcoming the opening of a new Georgian wine museum that will show the country’s 8,000-year-old history of winemaking, its culture and folklore to visitors. ‘Window to Georgia’ is the name of the Georgian wine museum that opened in Shangri-La Hotel located in the city of Yiwu in central Zhejiang province. Visitors to the Georgian wine museum can see a large, ancient Georgian winemaking vessel qvevri, wine-related items and Georgian wine and vine varieties. Georgian wine is distinguished by its uniqueness. We are glad to see growing demand on Georgian wine in
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China,” said Georgia’s Agriculture Minister Levan Davitashvili who attended the wine museum opening ceremony in China. China remains one of the largest importers of Georgian wine. Between January and August 2017, over five million bottles of Georgian wine were exported to China, says the Georgian National Wine Agency. This is a 51 percent increase in comparison to the same time period in 2016. With these numbers, China takes second place as the largest importer of Georgian wine. (Source: Agenda.ge)
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MARYNA CHAYKA CO-FOUNDER&CEO OF WELCOME TO GEORGIA! NATIONAL TOURISM AWARDS Please introduce yourself and tell us about Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards?  I can start to tell about myself that I am definitely from hospitality industry as it is deep inside of me. I graduated Institute of Journalism and since my school and student times I was always dealing with people. Hospitality is very close to it and I understood it while where working as Business Development with IHG at InterContinental Kiev almost 6 years since very preopening. After my experience with IHG I was working as CEO of Ukrainian Hospitality Awards. On 2014 I was launching the project of Russian Hospitality Awards as CEO as well. But Georgia is closer to me and I feel here as I am at home, that’s why I am where I am now, and together with our team I do what I really love and want to do. The main mission of the Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards is to encourage tourism and hospitality industry in Georgia and also to promote the awareness of the high-achieving tourism businesses and brands that create a positive image of the country worldwide. We are a little team and have been preparing for the project for several months and the preparation process was a really hard work, also it was not easy to convince different companies to take part into this event. Some representatives of companies were skeptical from the beginning, but after the two awarding ceremony they are enthusiastic, happy and have totally changed their mind and are looking forward to taking part in the next ceremony. When did you introduce this event and what is the purpose of organising it? Do government departments or private entities support this event? We came with our project to Georgia on April 2015 and the first what we did - presented it to the Government
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of Georgia. I had a chance to present the project to Mr. Dimitry Kumsishvili personally (that time Mr. Kumsishvili was a Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia) and since that times the Award is supported by the Ministry of Economy and GNTA is a co-organizer of the project 3d year already. Tourism and hospitality is one of the main developing sectors in Georgia. We believe that our project is very important from a global point of view. We see great potential for further development of this industry in the country - very promising, with a deep history, and most importantly with untouched nature to the end. There are many places that have yet to be discovered, improved, developed and promoted at the global level. As a result, the influx of foreign visitors will reach a record number. In Georgia, there are all conditions for the development of many spheres, including the sphere of services. And you know, a lot of work should be done to improve the service sector in Georgia. Hospitality is deeply rooted in Georgia. The guest is the first person for any resident of this country, as they themselves say. And everyone who has ever visited Georgia felt this on himself. Nevertheless, there are global standards of service. Thus, they should be implemented in Georgia, but necessarily combined with unique Georgian hospitality. By combining international standards and deep-seated hospitality of Georgia, we will come to something truly unique. Welcome to Georgia! National tourism Awards project has a big support from the government and from the private businesses. As I already told Georgian National Tourism Administration is a co-organizer of this project, The Ministry of Economic and Sustainable Development of Georgia and Tbilisi City Hall are Official Supporters. Alliance Group is a General Sponsor and Bank of Georgia is an Official Supporter of the project.
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Tourism and hospitality is one of the main developing sectors in Georgia. We believe that our project is very important from a global point of view. How can private businesses and entities benefit from participating? Participation in the Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards is open for all players working in the Georgian tourism and hospitality industry form all regions: hotels; Travel agencies and tour operators; Festivals and events; Restaurants, food spots and wineries; Travel photographer; Business and entertainment venue; Companies who focused towards the hospitality industry or tourism sector. There were 21 different categories and companies were judged by the transparent and fair jury board. Participants assessed by an independent Jury Expert Board which consists of the experts of the world and local travel, culture and hospitality market. Jury Expert Board is separated according to categories depending on the kind of their main professional activities. The Jury Expert Board gives each nominee points based on the criteria relevant to each nomination and afterwards the independent auditor – “BDO Georgia” summarised and checked
the final results of the Award. The list of Media Partners of the Welcome to Georgia! Award’s project coverage not only Georgian, as well foreign media and we are integrating project’s finalist and winners in our marketing campaigns during the whole year. Posting information’s about nominees, finalists and winners on our social networks. Publishing list of the finalists and winners in the Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards Report which is distributed in different places of Georgia and abroad to make promo of the Award winners and participants. From another side – the Award Project is a business platform for our partners and sponsors, which are services’ or products’ providers for tourism & hospitality industry. We are consolidating the market and providing our partners with a list of activities which are helping them to develop their businesses and giving additional opportunities to be more active within tourism and hospitality market in Georgia. GeorgianDay Magazine 49
The main mission of the Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards is to encourage tourism and hospitality industry in Georgia and also to promote the awareness of the high-achieving tourism businesses and brands that create a positive image of the country worldwide. In your opinion, how this yearly tourism awards ceremony can help in promoting tourism industry of Georgia? And what will be the achievement? The Award project first of all it is a kind of motivation for all market players to develop and improve themselves. After the First Year Ceremony we received a lot of positive feedbacks and thankful letters from the participants (not winners or finalists only) that we took such initiative to ourselves and organized this really open and transparent competition for Georgian tourism & hospitality market players. Based on our global aim – to promote Georgia as the tourism destination – the Award project has quite wide advertising campaign worldwide within which we are telling and opening Georgia to the world more and more. And if we can reach someone to visit Georgia, they will be back here for sure again and again. And our participants should understand and work hard for this. Do you have any plan to hold this event in any other country in future? The Earth is beautiful and our life can make us really rich with travelling, so tourism & hospitality industry is very perspective in a lot of parts of the world. Each country which has started or plan to develop this industry is interested to motivate their market players. And such projects as ours are kind of must to be launch in such countries. We have offers and invitations from a few different countries to launch the same project; however we are on the stage of analyzing and negotiation with those markets. As soon as we have any decision or new project in new countries– I will share this information with you. Is there any improvement in tourism industry of Georgia in recent years according to you? Definitely tourism industry is growing very quickly in Georgia. The statistic is showing the rise of the country visitors year by year. Also you can see the number of new objects which are going to be opened or just opened in different destinations of the country. We can
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see it very well within the nominees of the Award project every year. However there are still a lot of work for both – the government sector and private business as well – regions’ infrastructure and the level of service are open for a lot of improvements from both sides. Do you have any plan for media news and report coverage globally other than local media. And what medium? As I have already mentioned above, Welcome to Georgia! Award project’s media coverage is not bound by the borders of Georgian media, but we are also actively working foreign touristic and travel magazines and logbooks in Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, but we are moving on to establish partnership with leading travel media in Georgia and abroad, as the main goal of project is to bring international fame of participants and Georgia as a touristic country in general. And besides that, every year we prepare Annual Report of the Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards, which is a like touristic guide, where we write information about Awards winners, finalist, nominees and distributed in different places of Georgia and abroad to make promo of the Award participants and Georgia in generally.
At the end would you like to add anything that we didn’t ask? Or any message for businesses that are into travel and tourism field? We will keep doing our best to develop and improve the project every year as the Award is annual, and it needs to continue to motivate all players in the tourism and hospitality market to continue developing themselves and Georgia tourism in general. Every year we are making researches and sum up all the processes and improving rules of the assessment process. The event is the arena for true competitiveness and the event shows us deep interest from the organizations that are involved in tourism sector. The process is fair and Award Ceremony is excellent possibility for each participant to demonstrate their service and capabilities.
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OJAKHURI THE GENERIC NAME FOR MEAT AND FRIED POTATOES. Ojakhuri is a popular Georgian dish with roasted meat and potatoes. In translation from Georgian ‘Ojakhuri’ means a ‘family meal’.
Ingredients
500 grams of pork, 400 grams of potatoes, 3 medium sized onions, 2 tbs sour cream (or mayonnaise), 2 tbs white wine vinegar, 60 ml of white wine, 50 ml of oil, half tsp of powdered Berberis berries, 1 tbs tomato puree, quarter tsp of dried coriander, 4 dried bay leaves, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper.
Instructions
Make a marinade: Do this at least 12 hours before cooking so that the meat becomes soft and full of flavor. Cut the pork into medium sized cubes – do not cut the fat off. Cut 2 onions into thin slices. Put the pork and onions into a bowl, thoroughly stir ingredients or use hands to mix. Add powdered Berberis, sour cream, tomato puree, coriander, bay leaves, 10 ml of white wine, 2 tbs white wine vinegar salt and pepper.
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Mix thoroughly and place bowl (covered) in the refrigerator. Leave for at least 12 hours. When the marinade is ready and you are ready to cook remove the marinade from the refrigerator and add to a pan. Do not remove bay leaves. There is no need to add oil as it will fry in its own fat. Fry at a low heat for 10 minutes then add 50 ml of white wine and 30 ml of water. Stir occasionally and then more frequently as the wine and water reduces. Peel and cut potatoes into small pieces. Put oil into another pan and add potatoes when the oil is hot. Fry at a high temperature for 10 minutes until the potatoes become crispy. When the meat looks like the meat in the picture above, fry for a final 3 minutes on a high heat and stir continuously. This will make the outside of the meat crispy but the inside will remain soft. Congratulations, you have made Ojakhuri. Remove bay leaves and serve with a garnish of one thinly sliced onion.
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LOBIO
GEORGIAN BEAN DISH
Lobio (Georgian: ლობიო), is a popular dish made with kidney beans and usually eaten with Mchadi and marinaded vegetables . The Georgian word ‘lobio’ means ‘beans’. There are a number of varieties of this dish and we will show how to make one of the most popular.
Ingredients 400 grams of dried red kidney beans. 100 grams of onions. 50 grams of fresh green coriander (optional), 2 cloves of garlic, salt, a pinch of dried coriander, half spoon of dried Blue Fenugreek, 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp black pepper and 70 grams of oil.
Instructions Soak beans in cold water for two hours prior to cooking. Drain water and add beans, bay leaves and salt to a deep pot containing 1.5 liters of water. Cook on a medium heat
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until the beans are tender. Chop the fresh coriander and onions. Add fresh and dried coriander, Blue Fenugreek, garlic, black pepper and a pinch of salt to a mortar. Grind the ingredients with a pestle. Fry the chopped onions in a pan of hot oil. Drain the water from the cooked kidney beans but keep 200 milliliters in a separate jug to use later. Use the back of a wooden spoon to mash the beans on the side of the pot. Add the ingredients that were crushed in a mortar, together with fried onions and the oil they were fried in. Mash all ingredients until completely mixed, add the 200 milliliters of bean water (saved when draining the beans). Transfer the ingredients to a pot and cook on a medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. We baked ours in individual clay pots in the oven.
Karabak
ქარაბაქ
Karabak Restaurant
AUTHENTIC TURKISH CUISINE IN TBILISI
ნამდვილი თურქული სამზარეულო თბილისში
TRADITIONAL DISHES MADE FRESH DAILY BY OUR CHEF Magazine 65 24/1 Queen Tamar Ave. Tbilisi | 514 11 00 11 | თამარ მეფის გამზირი GeorgianDay 24/1 თბილისი
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Oxygen Bar Bar 18th-floor, Radisson Blu Hotel, Tbilisi.
Seidabadi Restaurant Eastern Restaurant (HALAL) 1 Gorgasali St. (Meidan) Tbilisi. Tel: +995 599 41 58 15 72 GeorgianDay Magazine
RESTAURANTS & BARS GUIDE SCAN QR CODE & GET MORE INFO ABOUT RESTAURANT OR BAR MENU VIDEO PICTURES LOCATION MAP ONLINE RESERVATION FOOD & DRINK OFFERS
Vinotel Restaurant Georgian cuisine. #4 Elene Akhvediani Ascent. Tbilisi. Tel: (+995) 032 2555 888
MacLaren’s Pub Irish Pub 5 Rkinis Rigi (Chardin) Tel: +995 555 65 46 46
Mepetubani Restaurant Georgian Restaurant 3 Erekle II square. Tbilisi. Tel: +995 598 77 09 68
Siang-gan Restaurant Chinese Restaurant 41 Gamsaxurdia Ave. (Gagarini sq.) Tel: +995 32 237 96 88 GeorgianDay Magazine 73
ENSEMBLE Chinese Restaurant Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi Tel: +995 32 2 50 50 | 2 97 32 97
Tiflis Veranda Restaurant International Restaurant 3 V.Gorgasali St. Tiflis Palace Hotel, Tbilisi Tel: +995 32 2 000 245
The Kitchen Italian, French Restaurant 14 Merab Kostava St, 0108, Tbilisi
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RESTAURANTS & BARS GUIDE SCAN QR CODE & GET MORE INFO ABOUT RESTAURANT OR BAR
The Terrace International Restaurant Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, Tbilisi
Mercure Tbilisi Old Town International Cuisine 9 Vakhtang Gorgasali St. Tbilisi.
Adjara Restaurant International Cuisine 1 Twentysix May Square. Tbilisi.
Buffet (Doors Group) Italian Cuisine 31 I. Abashidze St. Tbilisi.
Funicular Restaurant International & Georgian Cuisine Mtatsminda plateau, Tbilisi.
Shadow of Metekhi Georgian Cuisine 29a Tsamebuli Ave. Tbilisi.
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Best NightClubS in Tbilisi
EL CENTRO, Shardeni
SAFE CLUB, Shardeni
SENATE CLUB, No.5 Mishveladze St.
NIGHT OFFICE CLUB, Baratashvili Brdge.
NINE CLUB, Sololaki, Europe Square
UNIQUE CLUB, Bambis Rigi St.
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BEST CASINOS IN TBILISI AND BATUMI
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LIST OF CASINOS IN TBILISI
CASINO ADJARA, Tbilisi
SHANGRI-LA, Tbilisi
CASINO IVERIA, Tbilisi
LASVEGAS BET, Tbilisi
LIST OF CASINOS IN BATUMI
LEOGRAND CASINO, 2/4, Shavsheti St, Batumi | Tel: +995 (0) 422 24 26 26 | www.leograndhotel.com
CASINO INTERNATIONAL, 40 Rustaveli Ave, Batumi
PEACE CASINO, Batumi
CASINO IVERIA, Batumi
PRINCESS CASINO , Batumi GeorgianDay Magazine 79
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