MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Natia Turnava attended the event dedicated to enlisting Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands of the Western Georgian into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

“We continue to appear on the world map as a country with unique traditions, unique history, and unique nature. It is very important for us today, when our country, like the rest of the world, is suffering of pandemic and tourism hits hardest times. However, the decisions such as the recognition of four protected areas in Georgia by the UNESCO create the future of our tourism and guarantee its very rapid recovery,” – Natia Turnava stated at an event held in Kolkheti National Park. The Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia organized the event, while Minister Levan Davitashvili opened it.

Natia Turnava noted in her speech that the Government team, the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, the Agency of Protected Areas are working hard to develop the infrastructure of protected areas. According to the Minister, infrastructure development means generating new jobs in the regions, for the people who live near the national parks and create an environment where the tourists from different countries are happy to visit.

“It also means the development of ecotourism. It is noteworthy that part of the 10-year strategy prepared by the Ministry of Economy following the instructions of the Prime Minister includes special support programs for eco- and agro-tourism. This envisages grant and loan subsidy programs that will further help the locals to build small-sized hotels, farms and food facilities around such unique natural monuments, which will attract international visitors to the country,” – Natia Turnava highlighted.

Four Georgian protected territories known as Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These include Kolkheti and Mtirala National Parks, and Kintrishi and Koobuleti Protected Areas.