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 Mountain tourism conference in Georgia20.04.2017The potential of mountain tourism to foster economic development, as well as to raise awareness on environmental protection, was the major topic addressed at the Third World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Euro-Asian Mountain Resorts Conference. The event was held in Tbilisi, Georgia on 4-7 April, under the patronage of the Ministries of Tourism and of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. More than 300 participants from 32 countries gathered for the conference. Opening the event, Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili said, “It is significant to note that mountains make up more than 65 percent of the country’s landscape, and the government has been active in effectively using the aforementioned resource and advancing opportunities in tourism. According to various studies, Georgian ski destinations have the potential to generate more than $300 million in revenues from visitors. In this light, the Government of Georgia has focused considerable financial resources on sustainable development of the country’s mountain destinations, including implementation of major infrastructural projects.” “Besides its economic potential for remote areas and isolated regions, mountain tourism is a key catalyst to raise awareness on sustainable tourism and to help us become more committed travelers, institutions and enterprises, a challenge especially pertinent at the present moment as we are celebrating the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development,” said Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General. The conference was structured around five key sessions conducted by 25 international speakers from 17 countries. Sara Manuelli from the Mountain Partnership Secretariat presented during the first session on “Sustainable tourism in mountain destinations: challenges and long-term outlook” the work of the Mountain Partnership and the Mountain Partnership Products Initiative. “Mountain populations in developing countries face poverty and hunger,” she said. “The Mountain Products Initiative aims to promote and protect high-value mountain products and services as a strategy to develop mountain economies and better livelihoods.” Other sessions included: Prior to the conference, eight companies and associations joined the Private Sector Commitment to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism: Adjara Group Hospitality; Caucasus Travel; Explore Georgia; Georgian Events, Georgian Incoming Tour Operators Association; Georgian Tourism Association (GTA); Living Roots; and Tourist Agency ‘VisitGeorgia’. On the occasion, UNWTO Secretary-General Rifai was awarded the Order of Honour by Prime Minister Kvirikashvili for his contribution to the development of tourism in Georgia, for strengthening the relationship between UNWTO and Georgia and for raising awareness about Georgia as a tourism destination internationally. Programme of the Conference Photo: FAO/Sara Manuelli |
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