Batumi Focus On Tourism: Where Guests are Considered Gods

Batumi: Where Guests are Considered Gods

Georgia’s Black Sea resort of Batumi that was once a bleak site is now slowly revealing its astonishing beauty to the world.

Before, roads in Batumi were sprinkled with potholes, where its city was pitch dark at night, running water was scarce and the city's best hotel was infested with rats. But today, Batumi sparkles with neon lights and luxury high-rise hotels dot its skyline; soon the city will even brag a fountain over flowing with grape vodka.

The transformation of the ancient city of 180,000 near the border with Turkey is a brilliant example of Georgia's will to capitalize on its tourism potential, increasing the economy of an ex-Soviet nation where roughly one person in five lives in poverty. As of the moment, the government has attracted top foreign investors, such as U.S. real estate magnate Donald Trump, to build hotels and develop and renovate tourist sites.

The project does not only enriches Georgia’s breathtaking sites like the Black Sea, the towering Caucasus mountains and the ancient cities, but it also acknowledging the real meaning of Georgian culture which is hospitality itself. Here, refusing to come into one's home can result in deep personal insult.

"Unfortunately, Georgia is not a country that has a lot of natural resources, there is no oil, no gas and so what helps the country grow economically is intellect and tourism," Batumi mayor Robert Chkhaidze told The Associated Press in an interview. "For us, a guest is something precious. For a Georgian, each guest is like God."

Today, the center of Batumi could easily be mistaken for a western European seaside town with clean and orderly cobblestone streets, blessed by vine grapes descending onto the pavement, bustling cafes and noisy fountains.

Tourists visiting the place always leave positive responses towards the place and to its people.

"The people are very friendly, very welcoming, they are always happy to see you. Good job," Dovrenova said, as she sunbathed at the pebble stone beach.

"This is a good place: good sea, good beach and there are so many churches," Shi said.

Posted by Sophia Andrews on Thursday October 18 2012, 3:32 AM EST. Ref: Google. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Travel. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0