IDeA introduced to Georgian practice of tourism development

December 20, 2014 12:30

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Delegation of Initiatives for Development of
Armenia (IDeA) Foundation visited Georgia to get acquainted with the
Georgian practice of regional and tourism development.

The Delegation paid a visit to Mtskheta and Kakheti where meetings
with the representatives of local authorities, private sector and
World Bank were held. A regional development program was carried out
in Kakheti upon the initiative of the state and with the support of
the World Bank. Within the framework of the program, the historic and
architectural design of Telavi (the administrative center of Kakheti)
and other cities abound in cultural heritage monuments as well as
infrastructures were restored and new opportunities for tourism
development with the attraction of the private sector were created.

“We aimed to get acquainted with the practice, pros and cons of
programs carried out in Georgia owing to state-international donor
organizations-private sector cooperation. We visited places, which
have quite similar peculiarities to Dilijan and Tatev, where the
Foundation is implementing its key projects – Tatev Revival and
Dilijan development programs”, said Head of Programs and Construction
at IDeA Foundation Edgar Manukyan.

Head of Infrastructures of Europe and Central Asia Region of World
Bank Ahmed Eyveyda said he finds Kakheti development program
successful and noted that two circumstances have been employed to
support local and regional economic development – tourism potential
and historic and cultural heritage, which can be applicable in Dilijan
and Tatev.

“For instance, the historic appearance has been restored in Telavi.
Each such program contributes to the establishment of infrastructures
promoting tourism in territories adjacent to the historical and
cultural monuments and creates new opportunities. In particular, the
restoration of Dilijan’s historico-cultural face along with the UWC
Dilijan College might serve as an incentive for the city’s
development”, he said.

According to him, “Southern Corridor” project carried out in Armenia
by the World Bank and aimed at Yerevan-Meghri tourism development
might promote Tatev’s tourism.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress