Developing cultural tourism in georgia


Where
Georgia
When
2016
Who
Ministry of culture and monument protection of georgia;, ministry of economy
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Description of the policy/measure

In 2015 the georgian tourism strategy 2015 鈥 2025 was developed with the support of the world bank group. within the document the importance of the cultural heritage and cultural tourism is highlighted through different strategic objectives, such as protecting and developing georgia鈥檚 natural and cultural heritage, creating unique and authentic visitor experiences centered on those natural and cultural assets, etc.the development of cultural tourism is highlighted within the culture strategy 2025 through various tasks related with capacity building and awareness raising programmes about economy and marketing of cultural tourism, importance of synergy between cultural resources and creative industries. 聽strategy also focuses on promotion of public-private partnership engaging various state and non-state actors, cultural professionals, entrepreneurs and policymakers in developing cultural tourism. 聽one of the priorities is also country鈥檚 integration in transnational cultural routes (e.g. the europe cultural routes programme, unwto silk road programme) as well as protection of cultural and natural heritage and environment from potentially negative impact of tourism.the action plans for implementation of both tourism and culture development strategies envisage joint efforts and common activities to be implemented by the ministry of culture and monument protection and ministry of economy of georgia in collaboration with other line ministries, business sector and civil society.

Results achieved

Despite the fact that only 7.6% of the georgian citizens traveled within the regions for recreation, entertainment purposes in 2015, the amount of the international arrivals show promising picture with 7% growth in the same year. moreover, the share of tourism in gdp went from 6.32% (2014) to 6.73% in 2015.this leads to the notion of the world bank in regards to the objectives of national聽 tourism strategy, 鈥渁ccording to [which] by 2025 georgia will become well-known as a premier, year-round, high-quality tourism destination 鈥 centered on its unique cultural and natural heritage, world-class customer service, and timeless tradition of hospitality.georgia will be at the forefront of tourism competitiveness, through strategic investments in infrastructure, education, marketing, and the development of unique georgian visitor experiences that appeal to high-value markets around the globe.鈥 鈥 world bank, a tourism strategy for georgia 鈥 new path ahead, december 7, 2015

Financial resources allocated to the policy

Financial allocation will be estimated further to adoption of the both culture and torism development action plans by the end of 2016.