Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

Under the framework of new ecotourism projects, Mr. Otar Shamugia and the State Representative of Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti, Mr. Giorgi Guguchia inspected already accomplished and ongoing repair works on the Martvili Canyon Natural Monument 
Last year, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the construction work on ecotourism projects in Georgia's protected areas continued unabated; Among them, the zip line was arranged in Martvili Canyon, which will be put into operation in the nearest future; The pedestrian bridge was rehabilitated.

Martvili Canyon is one of the most popular protected areas in Georgia.  Since 2016, when ecotourism development started in the canyon, the natural monument has been visited by more than 800,000 visitors.
"We are working on the development of protected areas, we are increasing these areas every year and this process will continue in the future as well. Arranging ecotourism infrastructure is especially important. "We have interesting plans for Martvili Canyon, which will help to make this area even more attractive for tourists," Mr. Otar Shamugia said. 

According to Zaza Gagua, Director of the Martvili and Okatse Natural Monuments Administration, the canyon development works are still underway.
Currently, 3D lighting systems are being designed, after which visitors will be able to see the canyon in the evening. 

Martvili Canyon is one of the best examples of the involvement of the local population in the processes of sustainable development. Moreover, the construction of the visitor center and the arrangement of infrastructure in the canyon, resulted in the creation of new jobs in the surrounding areas, increasing the number of restaurants and family hotels.


In 2019, Martvili Canyon was awarded the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe for its outstanding importance.
In 2016, the ecotourism development started in Martvili Canyon; GEL 1,821,091 has been invested in various projects implemented by the Agency of Protected Areas, from 2016 to 2021.