1. What are the main challenges and opportunities for Mestia and the rest of Svaneti, including ABL (Chuberi, Khaishi, Idliani) communities?

For the region of Mestia and Svaneti (including ABL communities such as Chuberi, Khaishi, Idliani), there are challenges as well as significant opportunities that can be utilized for regional development.

Challenges:

1. Infrastructure: Improvement of road networks and transportation infrastructure is needed.
2. Seasonal Tourism: This creates a seasonal nature of attractions, leading to significant differences in tourist numbers between winter and summer, which complicates stable business development.

Opportunities:

1. Adventure Tourism: The natural riches of Svaneti, such as mountains and valleys, create excellent opportunities for the development of adventure and eco-tourism, including skiing, hiking, mountaineering, and cycling.
2. Cultural Tourism: Svaneti's unique cultural heritage, including historic Svanetian towers and traditional ethnicity, provides an attractive environment for tourists interested in cultural and historical experiences.
3. Development of Local Businesses: Traditional Svanetian handicrafts and local agricultural products are distinctive, offering a pathway to support the development of camping sites in border areas to develop camping directions alongside cycling tourism at a high level, establishing new styles of adventure tourism like living in tents.

Svaneti is rich in natural, cultural, and economic resources, which can be used for the region's sustainable development and the empowerment of local communities. Strategic partnerships and investments in new infrastructure, alongside interactions between tourism attractions and local businesses, create a positive impact on regional development.

1. How has the USAID grant helped your business deepen its tourism offerings in Svaneti?

The USAID grant has played a crucial role in improving tourism offerings and business development in Svaneti by providing new opportunities for offering additional attractions within cycling tourism. The grant provided the necessary financial resources used to create appropriate infrastructure, develop new tourist products and services, and enhance quality.

Infrastructure Improvement:

With the help of the grant, it was possible to create significant infrastructure to increase tourists' stay duration. Such projects ensure better access and comfort for tourists, enhancing the region's attractiveness.

Product Development:

USAID funding facilitated the creation of new tourist products, such as cultural, eco, and adventure tours, attracting various types of tourists and helping to overcome the challenges of seasonal tourism.

Skill Development:

The grant also allowed us to improve professional skills in the areas we position ourselves in the market, learning better customer interaction, negotiation skills, effective social media campaign management, etc., which became essential pillars for success. Training and programs bring us closer to our goal of creating outstanding attractions in the region at a high level. This helps improve service quality, increasing tourist satisfaction and the region's reputation.

Economic Impact:

Improved tourism offerings through the USAID grant contribute to economic growth, as more tourists consume local products and services. Consequently, local business revenues and the number of jobs increase, which is important for both the region and the people of Svaneti.

1. How has your business impacted the local economy and communities in Svaneti?

Our business activities in Svaneti significantly impact the local economy and community development. The growth in tourist flows leads to increased demand for local services and products, strengthening local businesses and the economy. Additionally, our business involvement in co-organizing and supporting community cultural events strengthens local identity and preserves traditions. Economic growth supports infrastructure improvements, which greatly benefit both tourists and local residents. Ultimately, our business activities positively influence the development and well-being of Svaneti's communities.

1. What are the biggest challenges in running an adventure tourism business in Svaneti?

There are several major challenges in running an adventure tourism business in Svaneti. Firstly, the rugged terrain and insufficient infrastructure hinder transportation and tourist engagement in the distinguished community with new potential: (Chuberi, Khaishi, Idliani). Additionally, the mountainous nature and frequently changing weather require the improvement of camping infrastructure and attracting hikers who love adventure, which would further diversify the region. Ensuring safety measures and managing risks is especially important in adventure tourism, requiring additional resources and training, where our team is constantly engaged in adopting and applying new developments.

1. What opportunities do you see for growth and expansion in the adventure tourism sector?

There are many opportunities for growth and expansion in the adventure tourism sector in Svaneti. The region's unique natural wealth, such as beautiful mountains, valleys, and rivers, creates ideal conditions for developing new activities such as hiking, mountaineering, and cycling. Especially for cycling, the long descent after a steep climb increases tourist support to engage in such activities in the mountains. Additionally, Svaneti's cultural and historical heritage creates opportunities to integrate cultural tourism into the adventure experience. Digital marketing tools and partnerships with international tourist companies can attract international tourists and expand the sector.

1. How do you ensure the safety of your customers while organizing bike tours?

To ensure customer safety while organizing bike tours, we take several important steps:

1. Professional Training: Our bike guides undergo safety and first aid training, allowing them to respond quickly and effectively to any emergencies.
2. Equipment Inspection: We regularly inspect bicycles and equipment to ensure they are safe and in good working condition.
3. Safety Instructions: Before starting a bike tour, we provide each participant with detailed safety instructions and inform them about the trail specifics and potential risks.
4. Risk Assessment: Before conducting bike tours, we research and assess risks in advance to minimize potential hazards.

By using these methods, we strive to ensure the safety and comfort of our customers during bike tours. Our guides meet the international certification standards for bike guides issued by the state through a joint program with the Adventure Tourism Association, Hippo Velo, and CCN.

 

 

1. How can Svaneti improve accessibility for international tourists?

Entrepreneurs in Svaneti need to focus even more on improving accessibility for international tourists by taking significant steps, preparing and disseminating more informational and marketing resources. We are very grateful for the marketing support under the USAID Strong Village Program, which has positively impacted our complex "Velomogzauroba." It is also important to collaborate with international tourism platforms to raise awareness of local services. We have taken significant steps in this area, creating Velomogzauroba cards and informational catalogs. Simultaneously, improving tourist services and enhancing staff professional skills is necessary.

1. What are your future plans for the business, and how do you plan to expand your services?

Our future plans for business development and service expansion include several key directions:

1. Creating New Tourist Products: We plan to develop new adventure and cultural tours that include unique experiences, such as attending, visiting, and participating in local festivals and events, as well as engaging in eco-tourism activities.
2. Infrastructure Improvement: We plan to expand and modernize infrastructure, including the development of camping areas and improving communication facilities, ensuring a more comfortable and safe tourist experience.
3. Integration of Digital Technologies: We plan to use digital platforms and applications to further enhance customer experience, including online bookings and access to virtual guides.
4. Global Marketing: To attract international tourists, we plan to conduct marketing campaigns, participate in international tourism exhibitions, and partner with foreign travel agencies.
5. Local Community Involvement: We plan to involve local communities in developing tourism projects, which will strengthen the economic empowerment of communities and further disseminate local culture.

Implementing these strategies will contribute to the sustainable development of our business and fully utilize Svaneti's tourism potential.

 

Development of attractions in the surroundings of Mestia