2020-05-08
A ministerial under the aegis of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on Future Prospects of the Tourism Industry will be hosted in Georgia in September 2020, bringing together ministers of tourism from several dozens of countries, as it emerged during the meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, which was held via videoconferencing.
The UNWTO secretary-general welcomed the Tourism Revival and Anti-Crisis Plan presented by the Government of Georgia, noting that country made very prudent and successful steps, including those aimed at becoming the first country in the world to re-open its tourism industry ahead of everyone else.
Georgia's successful experience both in the fight against the novel coronavirus and the provision of services to citizens in quarantine zones was stressed during the video conference. It was noted that this is the competitive advantage that Georgia will definitely use.
The UNWTO secretary-general also gave a positive assessment to the Georgian Government's decision on designating various resorts as Green Zones for Tourism. Attention was also drawn to the concept of safe corridors, which are being negotiated both with neighboring countries, as well as other states that are of interest to Georgia in terms of tourism. The prime minister particularly emphasized the importance of support from the UNWTO in this process.
Giorgi Gakharia noted that the tourism industry, in addition to being one of the most important driving forces of the Georgian economy, is also the competitive advantage that can facilitate the further economic development of the country after the pandemic.
According to the UNWTO secretary-general, given the current situation, Georgia has a very good position and location, and given the tourist infrastructure that was created in recent years, it can become quite a competitive tourist destination, while the World Tourism Organization will do its best to support the country in the process of coordinating with the target markets that are of interest to Georgia.
Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Natia Turnava, Head of National Tourism Administration Mariam Kvrivishvili, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Georgia to the Kingdom of Spain Ilia Giorgadze, and Prime Minister's Advisor on Economic Issues Beka Liluashvili participated in the video conference.
Press Service of the Government Administration