At the age of 56, businessman Temur Ugulava has passed away. Members of Georgia's business community—and many others—have taken to social media to pay tribute to him. They emphasize his transformative role in reshaping Georgia's hospitality and tourism industries, describing him as an entrepreneur who was always several steps ahead of his time, who never used his capital at the expense of the city, and whose projects created new contexts for modern Georgia.
Temur Ugulava founded Adjara Group, one of Georgia's largest hospitality holdings. The group created the Georgian brands Rooms and Stamba, operates Holiday Inn Tbilisi, and also manages the Tbilisi Sports Palace.
Among the holding's landmark projects are Radio City, Fabrika, and the D Block coworking space. In agriculture, the group owns Udabno, one of the country's largest almond orchard operators.
For many years, Adjara Group also managed Georgia's largest online gambling businesses, Adjara Casino and Adjarabet, which were acquired by Flutter Entertainment in 2019 in one of the largest business deals in Georgian history. Ugulava also created the Aviator brand in the online gaming sector.
His entrepreneurial ventures additionally included the e-commerce platform Veli Store and the scooter-sharing application Scroll.
"Temur's vision and values will always remain the foundation of our work" — Adjara Group
"Temur's contribution to the development of modern Georgia is extraordinary. He created projects that transformed not only Georgian hospitality but also the country's cultural and social landscape.
For years, every Adjara Group brand reflected Temur's ideas, enthusiasm, and exceptional attention to detail. His dream was for Georgia to have unique, engaging, open, and accessible spaces where every person—whether local or international—could feel at home.
He sincerely believed in Georgia's uniqueness and wanted as many people as possible to discover our country, its culture, its people, its nature, and its opportunities.
Thanks to his projects, thousands of people discovered and fell in love with Georgia.
Our grief is immeasurable, and today it is difficult even to speak about him in the past tense. But one thing we know for certain: the entire Adjara Group team will do everything possible to preserve his legacy, continue the work he began, and help build the kind of country he believed in.
His vision, values, and love for Georgia will always remain the foundation of everything we do."
"A person passes away, but their work, ideas, and legacy remain" — Valeri Chekheria, Co-founder of Salt Projects
"Temur Ugulava belonged to the rare group of people who created a new era through their vision, courage, and tireless work.
He taught us that every great achievement begins with a great dream, and that dreams become reality through conviction, courage, and bringing people together.
For me, this loss is deeply personal. For fifteen years I stood beside him, helping create what so many people now know and value.
He was my mentor, my older brother, and the person who trusted me, taught me to think big, make bold decisions, and never settle for the ordinary.
His mark will remain not only in the spaces and projects he created, but in the people whose paths he opened, the values he established, and the generations he inspired.
A person may leave this world, but their work, ideas, and legacy endure. That is how a great life is measured.
Thank you for everything, Temur—for your trust, your friendship, your lessons, and the road we walked together."
"It pains me deeply when Georgia loses such exceptional and honorable people" — Businessman Temur Chkonia
"Farewell to a man I considered a role model.
It deeply saddens me whenever Georgia loses such outstanding and dignified individuals.
May God grant you eternal light."
"The businessman who made Georgia a destination for free-minded people by creating free spaces" — Businessman Resan Kikava
"I have often spoken about Temur Ugulava as the businessman who transformed Georgia into a destination for modern, free, high-quality spaces that attract like-minded people.
It is difficult to overstate his contribution in this regard.
This is an immense loss."
"Vision and courage that gave Georgian hospitality a new direction" — Bank of Georgia
"Vision and courage that gave Georgia's hospitality industry a new direction.
Thank you for leaving behind a legacy that will inspire future generations."
"Temur Ugulava made an invaluable contribution to putting modern Georgia on the global map" — AltiHut Hotel
"Temur Ugulava left an indelible mark on the development of Georgian business and the establishment of modern standards.
His work, vision, and energy became a source of inspiration for countless successful ventures and entrepreneurs and played a major role in positioning modern Georgia on the global stage."
"What Temur Ugulava left behind will be a legacy that lives forever" — Levan Berulava, Co-founder of Salt Projects
"Temur, your kindness, wisdom, and very presence left a mark on countless lives, including mine.
I am grateful for every memory, every conversation, and every minute we spent together.
I am endlessly thankful for everything we created, nurtured, and shared together under your mentorship.
What you left behind—in people, in your work, and in our shared memories—will remain your legacy forever."
"Temur was and always will be the person who embraced every one of our ideas" — Fabrika
"Every resident, employee, friend, and member of the Fabrika community struggles today to find enough words to express our gratitude to our friend, supporter, and Fabrika's creator.
Temur was and always will be someone who supported every initiative, every idea, and every crazy ambition we had.
He was a friend who stood beside us through our whirlwind everyday lives.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, acquaintances, and every member of his teams.
Thank you, always and forever."
"Thank you to Temur Ugulava for his exceptional contribution to business and to the development of our country" — TBC
"Gravity turns chaos into order. It is a force that is always around us, that existed before us and will remain after we are gone…"
"Thank you, Temur Ugulava, for your exceptional contribution to business and to the development of our country—for your bold ideas and for creating places that bring people together, connect them, and will continue to live on for many years to come."
"Temur Ugulava was, is, and always will be someone who shaped the context of modern Georgia." — Setanta Sports Georgia
"Temur Ugulava was, is, and always will be a person who shaped the context of modern Georgia.
He created Eastern Europe's largest sports media platform, was an extraordinary sports enthusiast, and played a defining role in shaping modern Georgia.
"We were deeply saddened by the passing of Temur. Please accept our heartfelt condolences" - ICC Georgia
"Temur was a remarkable leader who breathed life into hospitality in Georgia and helped shape it into what it is today. His vision, taste, and high standards modernized every project he touched, always setting a new benchmark for quality, service, and professionalism. His legacy will continue to influence Georgia’s hospitality culture for years to come".
"Not only did Temur shine as a leading businessman, but he also distinguished himself as a generous human being, quietly helping those in need. I always viewed him as a dependable, trustworthy partner, and as a man of his word"
"He will be greatly missed"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the entire Adjara Group team. May you find strength in the love and respect so many people had for him, and comfort in the lasting impact of his life and work".
"With deepest personal sympathy,
Fady Asly and the ICC-Georgia family"
"The Georgian Farmers' Association expresses its profound sorrow over the passing of Temur Ugulava, the founder of Adjara Group.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, and to all of Georgia.Mr. Ugulava was a great supporter of Georgian farmers and local production. One of the finest examples of this was the **Udabno** project and his close partnership with the Georgian Farmers' Association. It was he who laid the foundation for the regenerative approach, which is now introducing a new direction in the development of modern Georgian agriculture.The projects and initiatives he created will remain a source of inspiration and a model for development for future generations. We are confident that Georgia will long remember his vision, his dedication to his work, and his commitment to the country's development, while future generations will take pride in the legacy he leaves behind. May his memory be eternal", - the statment reads.
ARIC Group has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Temur Ugulava, highlighting his significant legacy in shaping Georgia’s urban development, hospitality, and agricultural sectors.
"On behalf of ARIC Group, we extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Temur Ugulava.
Mr. Ugulava's visionary leadership and outstanding contributions to Georgia's urban development, hospitality sector, and agricultural advancement have left a lasting legacy for future generations. His dedication to the growth and modernization of Georgia will be remembered with great respect and admiration.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time," - the statement reads.
