Today, when pursuant to the regulations deriving from the pandemic, the internal tourism was resumed in the country, the Chair of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, Nino Tsilosani – the Parliamentary rapporteur on the tourism, and Gurjaani Single Mandate MP David Songulashvili were engaged in the Tourist Sector Challenge “Travel Your Country” and visited Gurjaani.

MPs were invited by the founder of the Gastronomic Tourism Business Association, holder of the company Culinary & Wine Expedition, and gastro-tourism trainer Keti Kvichidze.

MPs were accompanied, along with K. Kvichidze, the holder of the travel website “Guide-Info”, Rusiko Japaridze, founder of “Guide-Info” Alexander Giorgadze, the travel operator Zaza Sichinava, founder of the travel agency “Paata.ge”, Paata Vardiashvili and the independent guide Maia Kavtarishvili.

In full adherence to the regulations, they have been through all of them mandatory for the tourists during the pandemic. MPs got cognizant with the readiness of the country for the internal tourism and met with the holders of the wine cellars, petty entrepreneurs, and holders of the family hotels.

They visited “Nagdi Marani” in Kardenakhi, opened the new hotel Villa Art Kotekhi in Gurjaani, visited the House-Museum of Nato Vachnadze and held the meeting with the local guides.

The parties discussed the problems the tourism sector encounters, the pandemic threats, respective regulations and problems of the guides.

According to D. Songulashvili, the tourist objects in Gurjaani and in Kakheti region adhere to recommendations and meet the opening of the business in full readiness. “They are ready to adhere to all the regulations necessary to take care of each other. The virus is not yet defeated and we need to study to co-exist with it by adhering to the recommendations and taking care of each other”, - he noted.

According to N. Tsilosani, this tour was an attempt to cover all the directions by visiting the family wine cellar, Nato Vachnadze Museum, opening the new hotel in Gurjaani and meeting the guides to hear comprehensive information about the challenges in this sphere. “Our visit to Gurjaani aimed at overseeing the real picture of the first day of the open tourism sector. This challenge has been ensured by the active representatives of this sphere and Kakheti region was selected as the first destination as it is one of the “volatile” points for tourism. During the tour, we visited all the locations and listened to the guides about their problems, feasibility of the regulations etc. These regulations aim to ensure security and healthcare, to protect human lives and to resume the sector. These regulations shall not impede this sphere. In fact, this day was very busy and interesting. We heard the information and interesting proposals to be shared with the executive authority and we hope they will facilitate development of tourism”, - she noted.