Georgia: The Minister of Environment and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia, and the Development Portfolio Manager of the German Development Bank (KfW), Frank Morschel, visited the Shatili Visitor Center. The event was attended by German Ambassador to Georgia Hubert Knirsch and Mtskheta-Mtianeti State Representative Davit Nozadze.
The International Standards Visitor Center and Administrative Building were built with the financial support of the German Development Bank (KfW). The investment amounted to GEL 4,000,000.
“With the support of the German government, the German Development Bank (KfW), a new modern standard centre has been built in Shatili, where visitors will receive comprehensive information about our cultural heritage, all the tourist attractions, and the biodiversity that characterizes this area. We have been cooperating with the German government for years, and many infrastructure projects have already been implemented with their support. It is very important to take care of our unique biodiversity and at the same time use the opportunities that our nature has in terms of ecotourism to attract more tourists and more visitors, which means more opportunities and more income for the local population,” said Minister of Environment and Agriculture Otar Shamugia.
Pshav-Khevsureti National Park, with its medieval towers and unique landscapes, attracts both Georgian and foreign tourists alike. The protected area is rich in diverse ecosystems such as sub-alpine forests, alpine meadows, rocky mountains, impressive valleys and lakes. It is also known for its rich cultural heritage of the Middle Ages.
“I am glad that the joint project of Georgia and Germany has been successfully implemented, and a visitor centre has been established, staffed by other staff of the Agency of Rangers and Protected Areas. I’m sure the visitor centre will receive visitors from both Germany and other countries. I believe that Shatili and Pshav-Khevsureti National Park will become an even more attractive tourist destination,” said German Ambassador to Georgia Hubert Knirsch.
Visitors to the centre will have the opportunity to get detailed information about the park’s biodiversity and ecotourism services; In addition, the administration will be able to identify the needs of travellers and properly plan / develop ecotourism products.
At the centre’s opening ceremony, Mtskheta-Mtianeti State Representative Davit Nozadze noted that the new visitor centre would further increase its tourist attractiveness, and more visitors would positively impact the economic empowerment of the population of Shatili.
