For Using the Tourism Development Opportunities
Seminar of the experts’ group
The project of the Estonian Rural Tourism Organization (ERTO) “Improving the Quality of Tourism Products in Dedoplistskaro”, funded by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continues together with the Dedoplistskaro Tourism Devel
Dedoplistskaro – guesthouse Kera
opment Association (DTDA) in Dedoplistskaro Municipality.
Project activities started in 2021. Several events have already taken place: The meetings at the Georgian National Tourism Administration, and the Estonian Embassy in Georgia, visits to local tourist facilities, online seminars to develop tourism product quality, and more.
These days, Estonian tourism specialists were still visiting Dedoplistskaro. The purpose of the visit was to test the quality criteria of the tourism products, developed jointly with the Georgian side to take advantage of the local situation. The priority of the project is to involve young people in the tourism sector and support female entrepreneurs.
Lolashvili ‘s Bio vineyard
The Municipality was attended by Mrs. Raili Mengel –
Lolashvili’s Guesthouse “Kizikuri Traditsiuli”
Chairman of the Board of Estonian Rural Tourism Organization (ERTO), Mrs. Silja Lehtpuu – Project Manager of ERTO, Mrs. Ly Siilak – Tourism Quality Expert of ERTO, and Mrs. Katrin Papp- Member of the board of ERTO.
The guests visited the local sights: Khornabuji Fortress, Eagle Gorge, Elia Tezbiteli Monastery, Vashlovani National Park.
During their visits, together with a group of experts from the Dedoplistskaro Tourism Development Association, the Estonian specialists visited local entrepreneurs who are either already working in the tourism sector for some time or want to create and sell a new tourism product: The guesthouses “Kera”, “Savanna”, “Teo’s Cottages”, “Mary Poppins”, “Kizikuri Traditional”; They visited the Gonashvili’s, Nasrashvili’s, Baghashvili’s, Nino Meri’s family cellars, the Lolashvilis’ bio-vineyard, and cellar, tasted the wines produced here, and tasted Mikheil Madzgharashvili’s bio wine too; They were in objects based on cultural heritage: in the art studio “Pesvebi” and at the blacksmith Aladashvili’s workshop. The guests visited the dairy factory “Leanka”, where they tasted Georgian dairy products and “Leanka’s” branded dessert. In Zurab Masurashvili’s modern farm attended the milking process and tasted traditional Georgian dishes made from milk, as well as Georgian pork and Georgian chicken eggs. In Teo Benashvili’s raspberry garden in the village of Arboshik, they tasted a raspberry dessert and took part in the process of making “khinkali”. Estonian experts twice visited the Association of Friends of Vashlovani Protected Areas in Kogoto Valley and saw how this facility is developing.
Visit Zurab Masurashvili’s modern farm
Zurab Masurashvili’s Farm
The Estonian Rural Tourism Organization was hosted by the Mayor of Dedoplistskaro Municipality, Mr. Nikoloz Janiashvili, who introduced the rehabilitation project of the access road to the Khornabuji Fortress.
During the visit, in the conference hall of the Hotel “Autograph” seminars were held with the participation of the members of local experts’ group: Manana Katashvili (Chairman of the Association), Ana Benashvili (Member of the Board of the Association), Nana Kartvelishvili (Tourism Specialist), Nino Seturidze (Visitors’ specialist of Vashlovani Protected Areas administration), Manana Inashvili (Quality Expert of DMO “Visit Kakheti”), Nino Madzgharashvili (Family Cellar “Nino Meris”), Khatuna Popiashvili (Guesthouse “Mary Poppins”).
Seminar at Hotel “Autograph”
While visiting local facilities, the guests noted that in Dedoplistskaro region there are many opportunities for the development of various types of tourism.
The next visit of ERTO members is planned for the autumn: training of local entrepreneurs for the practical implementation of tourism product quality criteria; Development of quality criteria and system and preparation of relevant documents in Georgian and English languages; Creation, development, and sale of modern tourism products, study visit of local entrepreneurs, members of the Tourism Association to Estonia to share experiences and other events.
