Presentation of scheduled in Kakheti region projects to be held at the end of January

An interview with the National Tourism Agency Chief Maya Sidamonidze

- Will a hot political year affect the country's tourism business?

- The election cycle is repeated in almost every country in 5 years. This is an ongoing process, which can’t be avoided. In every country it is held in the civilized forms and the same should be occurred in Georgia, that they will not harm any other sector. While determining the strategy of tourism sector, of course, not only the country's internal situation must be taken into account but also external factors such as economic and financial crisis and political situations. The strategy should be designed so that these factors do not affect the sector.

 - Is tourism sector strategy where the above-mentioned factors are taken into account already available?

- Next year's official forecast is 3.5 million tourists; a 27% growth is envisaged. We have chosen target markets, from which we should attract tourists. We have taken into account countries where there is the economic crisis and people think less about travelling, so we are trying to diversify our target markets in order not to be dependent on any particular market. Also, we entered new international markets, which will compensate us and we will be able to attract more tourists next year. Georgia has a positive side: it is a new direction, and today there is a trend of discovery of new tourist spots .

 - In 2011 in total 3 million tourists have visited the country. The forecast for next year makes 3.5 million. Taking into account the abovementioned factors prognosis is relatively restrained.

- In fact, there are certain formulas of forecast. Taking into consideration the fact that the growth rate made 40% last year, the starting point of this year is already quite high. Therefore, the percentage will be low.

 - Which markets are priority in terms of tourists attraction?

- First of all, our neighbors, the former Commonwealth of Independent States - CIS. A growing number of tourists from Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic countries are observed. Therefore, we have activated marketing activities in these markets. There are new markets - the United States and Asian countries, with which we will have a direct air contact.

- Will direct flights to China and Dubai have a real impact on growth of tourist flow?

- We found that direct flights and visa regime facilitation affect the increase in tourist flow.

 These two factors are necessary before we launch marketing activities in any market. "The Polish Air Lines” has also surpassed the prognostic indicators of sales. Tourist flow from Poland has significantly increased. A 200% growth of Iranian tourists has been also observed since a direct flight to this country was assigned.

 - Is there a problem of accommodation in light of the increased tourist flow?

- From the fact that the state creates a greater opportunity for the private sector in order to attract new local and international investments. Some resorts have been in such a demand that it was possible to develop not only small and medium-sized businesses and to open small hotels and catering facilities but to build more complex large resorts. This happens not only in Batumi and Anaklia, in 2012 large-scale projects will be implemented in Kakheti.

 - What exactly is planned to be implemented in the region of Kakheti in 2012?

- The presentation of the planned projects will be held in late January. These are infrastructure projects, centers and districts rehabilitation, as well as new tourism products, entertaining policy includes rehabilitation of the existing resorts, creation of new resorts and infrastructure development.

- How satisfied is the current picture in winter resorts, is there a tourist activity?

- Of course, the lack of snow is not a favorable factor, but now all three resorts have snow. However, reservations are made by tourists ​​ in advance. In the last 5 days of December, approximately, 70 000 tourists have entered the country. The demand for Georgian winter resorts is so high that sometimes there is a problem with accommodation. Georgia has a great potential from this point and its use is required. More investments are to be attracted to create new facilities and develop new mountain - ski resorts, so that not 3 but 5 million tourists to arrive in our country in  winter.

Source: www.commersant.ge