2020-05-11
The meeting was very important. As you know, several days ago we unveiled a specific plan for opening the economy - one where tourism plays a special role. Tourism was the most negatively affected sector of the economy but we all need to understand that this does not mean that we should limit our capabilities - on the contrary. I spoke with my colleagues today and I would like to reiterate that we must use this crisis as an opportunity and we must demonstrate this first and foremost in the tourism sector. In general, this pandemic, this global crisis must become a new opportunity for the restoration of the economy and for progress, for economic revival in Georgia. We are talking about global competition, within which - having managed the risks associated with the pandemic reasonably well, compared to others - we can say that Georgia possesses all the resources to use the crisis as an opportunity. Georgia can improve its positions within the global competition compared to the beginning of the year in terms of various sectors of the economy, various sectors of social life. We think that "The Crisis, as an Opportunity" must become the slogan for this year and the next one, for our country and every one of us. Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia made this statement in Batumi, where he met with representatives of hospitality and tourism companies in Adjara.
According to him, a new component must be added to Georgia's strength as a tourist brand and destination - one that reflects that it is a safe zone in terms of the pandemic, and this is extremely important.
"As you know, during recent years, tourism became a driving force of the country's economy - an important sector. In addition, Georgia became very well-known as a global tourism destination, and a strong brand as a tourism hotspot with its 8,000-year history of winemaking, its history that spans millennia, its cuisine, culture, and everything. Countless people yearned toward Georgia and have the desire to see Georgia. We must reinforce Georgia as a tourist brand and destination with a new component - one that reflects that this is a safe zone with regard to the pandemic. This is extremely important. This must become another manifestation of 'The Crisis, as an Opportunity.' Rather than becoming intimidated and retreating, Georgian tourism must prove to everyone that we are managing the COVID-19 infection in such a way that we can also simultaneously receive tourists and guests to our country. This is the formula with which we must handle this challenge and revive our country's economy, first and foremost, in Adjara. There are many successful hotels here, as you are aware; there are many successful tourist companies. We talked about how we can help one another. We will create a group that will work with the head of the Government of Adjara and will be focused on meeting the safety regulations that are specific to Adjara in order to restore tourism in Adjara as quickly and effectively as possible. However, all this planning will be in vain unless every single citizen and company, as well as the state, observes the basic rules," Giorgi Gakharia noted.
According to him, Georgia must show the world that the country can receive tourists, work the economy, and at the same time successfully treat people infected with COVID-19 - both its citizens, as well as guests.
"Unfortunately, all of us must come to terms with the fact that the face mask, social distancing, and rules of hygiene have become a daily part of our lives - this is what we refer to as adaptation. We must go through this adaptation and show the entire world that we can receive tourists, work the economy, and at the same time we can successfully treat both our citizens and guests who have been infected with COVID-19. We agreed that the crisis must become an opportunity for our country's economy - an opportunity to discover new growth points and new breakthroughs, and we must strengthen Georgia's tourist brand with another reinforcing component - one that reflects that Georgia is effective in the fight against COVID-19, effective in managing COVID-19, and a country that is free of COVID-19," the prime minister stated.
Press Service of the Government Administration