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Otar Shamugia and Tornike Rizhvadze visited Mtirala National Park
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia together with Mr. Tornike Rizhvadze, the Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara inspected current ecotourism activities in the Mtirala National Park.
The construction works in eco-tourism cottages, Adjarian wine house and cafeteria are currently in an advanced stage of completion in the Mtirala National Park, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations and will make the travel for visitors even more diverse.
"This year, we have a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting protected territories. The number of visitors has increased by 80%, compared to the same period last year, and that is crucial.
Moreover, we believe, that this number will double by the end of the year. We are actively working to organize the proper ecotourism infrastructure in the protected areas, which is crucial for attracting visitors.
The Agency of Protected Areas was working without delay for arranging the ecotourism infrastructure during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, we started arranging a network of 1000 km length trails, for which more than GEL 30 million was allocated from the state budget. One of the most important projects is also implemented in the Mtirala National Park, namely, Mtirala National Park is connected to Kintrish Protected Area.
Approximately GELÂ 7 million is allocated for the aforementioned project. We will actively continue developing ecotourism services and arranging relevant infrastructure in the protected areas in the future as well", said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia.
In 2023, the network of walking routes connecting administrations of the Mtirala National Park and the protected areas of Kintrishi and the tourist-recreational infrastructure will be completed with the accompanying ecotourism infrastructure: shelters, arbours, bowers, summerhouses, fire pits, bridges, viewpoints etc. The unique nature of Mtirala National Park has been internationally recognized many times.
Mtirala National Park is one of the best examples of getting benefits from the development of ecotourism in the protected areas; After setting up a National Park, beekeeping was developed in the nearby area, small tourist facilities and hotel infrastructure were organized, and jobs were created.
According to the Chairman of the government of Adjara, Mr. Tornike Rizhvadze, Mtirala National Park is one of the best parks in Georgia, and the government of Adjara will always support its further development.
It should be mentioned, that Mtirala National Park is one of the most popular protected areas embracing a large number of visitors. The National Park has already hosted 41,681 visitors during the first 7 months of 2022.
The Minister of Agriculture of Adjara Mr. Zaza Shavadze, Mayor of Kobuleti Municipality Mr. Levan Zoidze, Majoritarian Member of the Parliament of Georgia, the Deputy of Kobuleti Mr. Zaal Mikeladze and Chairman of the Protected Areas Agency Mr. Davit Iosebashvili accompanied the Minister in the Mtirala National Park.