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NEWS
GEORGIA TODAY
JANUARY 24 - 26, 2017
Choice Hotel Group Visits Georgia BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI
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he British Georgian Chamber of Commerce (BGCC) organized the visit of Choice Hotel Group representatives to Tbilisi on January
19-20. Considered to be a leader among the global hotel brands since 1941, Choice Hotel Group is one of the largest and most successful, operating four brands: Ascend Collection (5 star), Clarion (4 star), Quality (4 star), and Comfort Inn (3 star). The group boasts 6,400 hotels in 35 countries worldwide. During their visit to Tbilisi, Georg Schlegel, Managing Director, and Max Cergneux, Senior Director, held meetings with the representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Georgian National Tourism Administration and with a number of development and construction companies, including the Partnership Fund. As Mako Abashidze, Founder-Director of the BGCC, exclusively told
GEORGIA TODAY, the BGCC approached Choice Group in November last year in order to discuss opportunities and potential projects in Georgia through meetings in London with Max Cergneux, Senior Director. Choice Group then conducted an independent market study on tourism development and strategy in Georgia, identifying Georgia as a potentially interesting market for their hotel brands, while the BGCC set to organizing a business trip to Georgia for company representatives, preparing all logistics and meeting schedules. “I would like to mention the great support of Lika Kardava, founder of Property Georgia, who helped us to identify and arrange these very interesting and fruitful meetings with market-leading companies in Georgia,” Abashidze said. Following the visit, Omega Group, one of the Founder-Members of the BGCC, is in the process of negotiations with Choice Hotel Group on two potential projects in Tbilisi and Batumi. The Honorary Chairman of the BGCC, Zaza Okuashvili, will continue working in this direction to help the sides finalize the details.
Mako Abashidze, BGCC Founder Director, and Choice Group Representatives. Source: Irakli Dolidze/GT
Georgian Products at the International Agricultural Exhibition in Berlin
BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI
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evan Davitashvili, Minister of Agriculture of Georgia, attended the Agriculture and Gardening exhibition opening in Berlin, Germany. Gruene Woche 2017 is considered to be one of the largest and most prestigious events in the agriculture sector, held annually since 1926, with over 400,000 visitors attending the exhibition each year.
Over 1500 companies are participating in the event this year. The Georgian stand features 17 wine companies: Kimerioni, Tamari’s Marani, Bebu, Chelti, Tibaneli, Badagoni, Mildiani, Kindzmarauli Corporation, Schuchmann Wines, and more, while Georgian traditional sweets: churchkhela, gozinaki, dry fruits, lemonades and tea are displayed alongside Chacha and Georgian spices. Minsiter Davitashvili will be attending the ministerial within the framework of the Gruene Woche 2017.
Gulf Air to Start Direct Flights to Tbilisi BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI
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he Kingdom of Bahrein’s national carrier Gulf Air is to begin flying direct to and from Tbilisi airport three times a week from
June 2017. “We are pleased to respond to passenger demand by opening this latest destination. Launching in June 2017, our new
route to Tbilisi, Georgia, will cater to summer movement and leisure travellers from the GCC region,” said Maher Salman Al Musallam, Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer. One of the largest networks in the Middle East today, Gulf Air started to operate in 1950, and now serves 43 cities in 24 countries across three continents. “As part of our longstanding mission, we are always looking for ways to introduce and strengthen business and tourism links between key global destinations
and the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region,” Maher Salman Al Musallam added. “The addition of Georgia to our network map follows extensive discussions and negotiations with the Georgian aviation authorities and we thank them for their support to date and their contribution to our efforts going forward in ensuring the success of our new route. I believe this is yet another positive development for Gulf Air in 2017 and one that will appeal to our passengers around the world.”