1. Department of Tourism and Resorts of Ajara Autonomous Republic Department of Tourism and Resorts of Ajara Autonomous Republic International Donor Conference 21 November, 2014 Batumi, Georgia

2. Main Action Area Department of Tourism & Resorts of Ajara A.R. Batumi Tourism Information Center Sarpi Tourism Information Center Kobuleti Tourism Information Center Batumi Int. Airport Information center Khulo Tourism Information center NPLE Batumi Tourism Agency

3. Department’s main action area Department of Tourism and Resorts is a sub-departmental establishment of the Government of Ajara Autonomous Republic that is mainly involved in state management of tourism and resorts in the region. The department carries out a state policy in reserving and developing tourism and resorts. It also popularizes touristic potential of the region at the international level and favors implementation of various innovations in tourism sphere.

4. Vision: Our vision is to increase the role of tourism in the social-economic growth, poverty reduction, citizens’ employment and sustainable development of the region. Mission: Department of Tourism and Resorts of Ajara is responsible to lead the process, to unite and coordinate all the mediators and interested parties.

5. Strategic Goals Goal 1 To raise awareness of the region as a tourist destination; Goal 2 To develop tourism products of the region and to improve the service level; Goal 3 To ensure efficiency in the tourism field management.

6. Ongoing projects European Union o Black Sea Network for Sustainable Tourism - Strategies for joint tourism marketing and development in the Black Sea region (BS NST)  Development of Eco and Agro Tourism strategy and joint marketing activities in the Black sea basin. o Network of competence centres for the development of cruise tourism in the Black Sea region (CruiseT)  Establishment of Cruise Tourism Competence Centre and strengthening of capacity building of the field professionals. o Cultural Ports from Aegean to the Black Sea Common borders. Common Solutions (LIMEN)  The aim of the project is to contribute to the development of cultural tourism in the wider region of the Black Sea. Using the experience of the institution of “European Capital of Culture”, the project aims to establish a new institution, the “Cultural Port of the Black Sea”.

7. Finished Projects And Activities UNDP  Operational Guide for the Department of Tourism and Resorts of Ajara A.R. To direct the function of the department into effective and well-shared way.  Audio Guides Project The aim of this project was to improve service quality and create technological standards in tourist related service.  Foreign Tourists’ Needs and Satisfaction Research To study tourists’ overall satisfaction.  Trainings for Guides The aim of this project was to prepare a knowledgeable and reliable guide, who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage and possesses specific qualification usually issued by the appropriate authority.  Web-Portal Development for Batumi Tourism Agency To combine information access and content distribution with management and social networking mechanisms. GIZ  Visit of the Service and Hospitality Industry Expert With the help of a German expert Hotel and Restaurant Categorization System has been created.

8. Finished Projects And Activities USAID USAID  Tourism Strategic Plan Development  Capacity Building Trainings  Project Development and Management  Strategic Planning /Monitoring and Evaluation Tools  Trainings in Human Resources Management  Trainings in MICE Tourism Development - EPI  Trainings in Tourism Development Strategy - EPI  ECM-2013 Summer School – EPI SILESIAN VOIVODESHIP SILESIAN VOIVODESHIP (Poland) Strategy Development and Implementation Marketing Communication Strategy Trainings for the Top Management

9. Strategic priorities Eco-tourism development;  Wine Tourism  Rural Tourism  Birdwatching Cruise Tourism Development; Mountain and Ski Tourism Development; MICE-Tourism Development; Cultural Tourism Development.

10. Thank you for your attention! Demur Diasamidze Chairman of the Department of Tourism and Resorts of Ajara Autonomous Republic Department of Tourism and Resorts of Ajara 84/86, Parnavaz Mepe ST, Batumi (6010), Georgia E-mail: info@gobatumi.cominfo@gobatumi.com Web-page: www.gobatumi.comwww.gobatumi.com