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Issue no: 839
• APRIL 29 - MAY 2, 2016
• PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY
PRICE: GEL 2.50
In this week’s issue... Georgia’s Parliament Speaker Visits Brussels to Discuss Prospects of Visa Free Travel NEWS PAGE 2
FOCUS ON GEORGIA US RELATIONS
From Tree to Garden, Is the Tbilisi Botanical Garden to be Ivanishvili’s Next Hobby? Georgian PM in Washington this week highlighting its stability and investment potential
PAGE 3
Georgia Ranked 71st by Tourism Competitiveness Index BY ANA AKHALAIA
POLITICS PAGE 4
The Science Behind STEM in Georgia SOCIETY PAGE 11
Pick a Quote! Shakespeare and Rustaveli Meet in Georgia SOCIETY PAGE 14
From Easter to Ascension from Mass Culture to Immortal Values CULTURE PAGE 16
T
he World Economic Forum has ranked Georgia 71st on its Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index for 2016. Spain placed highest on the list, while France and Germany were second and third. Of the ranked countries, volatile African nation Chad finished last. Georgia’s ranking placed it one behind Israel, but ahead of Namibia. The index consists of 15 different types of criteria used to measure the tourism industry and culture of the 141 participating countries. The study evaluates the economic, infrastructural and cultural opportunities in each destination and ranks them accordingly. Georgia scored highest on security measures, but fell well below the average when it came to cultural resources and amenities for business tourism.
10th Black Sea Jazz Festival to Host Unprecedented Number of Participants CULTURE PAGE 17