News
Meeting with the representatives of tourism and agricultural sector in Kakheti region
The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Natia Turunava along with the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili held a meeting with the representatives of tourism and agricultural sector in Gurjaani, Kakheti region.
The representatives of the private sector from Kakheti region asked members of Georgian government to provide the information on activities planned by Government after Russian airlines canceled several flights to and from Georgia. The meeting was organized by Kakheti regional governor - Irakli Kadagishvili.
The majoritarian MP Davit Songhulashvili and the head of the National Tourism Administration Mariam Kvrivishvili also participated in the meeting. 200 local entrepreneurs, whose activities are more or less related to Russia attended the meeting. Among them were wine companies, who sell most of their products in the Russian market, as well as the owners of wine cellars – who host visitors from Russia, peach and other fruit / vegetable exporters who export their products in the Russian market. Participants of the meeting expressed their willingness to normalize the situation between Georgia and Russia, and Georgian products to have an access to Russian market. Furthermore, most of the speakers claimed to inform not only Russia but all countries that existing s
The owners of small family hotels actively engaged in the wine tourism also attended the meeting. It was mentioned, that wine tourism is developing rapidly in Kakheti, new wine hotels emerged in the region. Although, at this stage, Russian tourists are cancelling their bookings in Georgian hotels, that will ultimately have a negative impact on the wine sector. According to the small entrepreneurs, they have potential tourists from Russia who are interested in finding alternative ways to arrive in Georgia.
According to Natia Turnava, Georgia should maintain Russian tourists and provide tourists and visitors with the right information. "Georgia is a safe country and threat isn’t posed to visitors, The spread of misinformation is a devastating problem and we should deal with it’’ said Turnava.
" Strong economy will lead to build pragmatic, bilateral economic relations with Russia and other countries. Satisfied Russian tourists will tell their citizens more about real Georgia and they will hear less information from Russian channels.
We have chosen a peaceful way to resolve the conflict, therefore, peaceful road is an important part of the peaceful agenda and an opportunity to build good relations with people, tourists from different countries, including Russia. Russian tourist spends money in Georgia, thus contributing to our welfare, he also spreads objective and comprehensive information about Georgia. This is our reality " said the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development.
"I hope Russia will not impose trade embargo" - said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. According to Levan Davitashvili, trade relations with Russia are the result of hard work and efforts that we were striving for years and our government will continue its pragmatic policy towards Russia.
"I think that progress achieved with Russia will be maintained and our government has proven that we can carry out pragmatic policy and we will be able to continue our trade relations in the wine industry, agro food sector.
It is very important to build relations, that will be based on pragmatic connections, expert consultations and not emotions. We hope to get answers from Russian Federation and the process will be adequately perceived "Davitashvili said
At the end of the meeting, officials introduced the vision of Georgian government to the entrepreneurs, how they plan to deal with this difficult situation. It was noted , that government will take into consideration demands of the private sector and will make endeavors to help stimulate the economy and normalize the situation with Russia. Â
Â
Â