Protected Areas Agency promotes Georgian protected areas

Georgia: The Agency of Protected Areas, with its unwavering professionalism and dedication, is actively engaged in promoting Georgian protected areas on international markets.

Representing the National Parks of Georgia, the Agency played a key role at the Hong Kong International Tourist Exhibition, HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXPO, demonstrating its commitment and competence.

Hong Kong International Travel Expo is the only travel fair in Hong Kong. ITE Hong Kong covers two trade days for buyers and travel trade locally and regionally, as well as two public days for premium FIT travelers.

At the four-day exhibition, the Agency of Protected Areas showcased the unique biodiversity of the national parks of Georgia on the stand of Georgia, along with the ecotourism and adventure direction.

The appropriate visual and textual materials piqued the curiosity of the guests. Through virtual glasses, the guests were transported to the protected territories of Georgia, further enhancing their interest.

The Agency’s comprehensive presentation aimed to increase awareness of Georgia’s national parks and adventure destinations, which received a particular focus on the hiking destinations of the protected areas.

The presentation of Georgian protected areas at the Hong Kong International Tourist Exhibition is a significant step towards attracting a new tourist segment and increasing the flow of visitors.

It’s worth noting that in 2023, the number of visitors from China to Georgian protected areas increased by 67.6% compared to 2022, indicating a promising trend for the future.

The Acting Chairman of the Protected Territories Agency, Besik Kusid, and Deputy Chairman, Tamar Khakhishvili, played a pivotal role in hosting the Protected Areas Agency guests at the International Exhibition, demonstrating their commitment and leadership in promoting Georgian protected areas.

Agency of Protected Areas

The main objectives of the Agency of Protected Areas are:

• Long-term protection of bio-geographic units of Georgia to ensure continuous development of natural processes;
• Protection and restoration of natural ecosystems, landscapes, and living organisms;
• Protection of diversity of the gene pool of “Red Listed” and endangered wild animals and conservation of biodiversity;
• Maintaining unique and rare organic and inorganic natural formations;
• Protect territories that have been actively affected by erosion, mudslides, floods, avalanches, landslides, areas for surface and underground water formation, as well as flow and discharge areas from anthropogenic impact;
• Conservation and restoration of historical-cultural landscapes and the landscapes characteristic to architectural and archeological complexes;
• Creating appropriate field conditions for invaluable and irreplaceable objects to be used for educational purposes and scientific research;
• Ensuring favorable conditions in natural and historical-cultural environments for recreation, the promotion of healthy living and tourism;
• Supporting traditional agricultural activities and the protection, restoration, and development of folk arts to preserve Georgia’s unique historical-cultural environment;
• It stimulates activities that contribute to saving natural resources and territories intended for agricultural, industrial, transportation, and energy purposes.