Commissioners and industry associations hash out infrastructure, customer service and new travel deals as the region heads into the off season.
The mayor of Batumi Giorgi Tsintsadze was received at the meeting by the Chairman of the Adjara Government Zurab Pataradze and members of the regional government. The leaders had the tourism entrepreneurs at the meeting. They spoke about the winter-autumn forecast of the region.
Participants talked about current market numbers and how they might remain high even after the height of summer. They also talked about infrastructure and about improving what was available, putting together package tours of accommodation, dining, activities and transport.
One other very important topic that we have discussed was how can we attract the region to the international market and at least locally so that future generations know that not just the beach industry needs to develop in the Adjara, but it also has its areas of mountains.
Adjara Tourism Department Tinatin Zoidze shared the updated figures on the field. As the updated data indicates, the total number of arrivals in the region surpassed three million. The number of foreign visitors and income from the travel and tourism sector increased during the third quarter.
To maintain this, some festivals and events are planned for this autumn-winter. The winter ski season is being prepared at the Goderdzi Resort, which is among the top mountain tourism resorts in the country and to be celebrated through the winter festival. These festivities aim at drawing the visitors in the shoulder season and promote the activity of SMEs.
The year will end with the Magnolia Tourism Awards which will comprise awards to the best operators for tourism service. This is the major event where industry demonstrates its commitment to quality, and motivates operators to improve.
An array of industry representatives was present at the session. Just a few of the industry representatives in the room were hotel and other accommodation operators, restaurateurs and caterers, tour operators and guides, travel agents, mayors from municipalities in the region, and representatives of other private sector operators. The fact that there were public sector and private sector operators all in one room reflects a concerted planning effort.
Official totals indicate 3 million visitors this year so far, and the pace of growth continues to accelerate through Q3. Adjaran authorities seem determined to wring every last penny out of this year, and the true test of whether it is becoming a destination for all seasons will come with this year’s festivals, ski season and awards at the end of the year.
