The Georgian tourism sector has cratered in the face of the coronavirus, but in March a new hotel David was opened in the historic district of Kutaisi since optimism in the industry about a rebound remains robust.
“In March of the current year, my wife, Mari Bartia, and I got an opportunity to conduct successful negotiations with the owners of the hotel. The hotel has been named by us. It was selected because of the location of the hotel since it is placed in the historical district of Shaumiani, Boris Gapanovi Street, adjacent to Synagogue. The district has been mostly settled by Jews and the name of the hotel – David – has symbolic importance,” David Kurchishvili, General Manager at hotel David, told BM.GE.
In his interview with BM.GE, Kurchishvili discussed the challenges of the tourism sector, his expectations and also guided us to the must-visit places in Kutaisi and nearby areas.
Despite existed hindrances in the tourism sector, the GM’s expectations are still optimistic. Mostly, it is due to the transit functions of the city. In his words, the demand is also observed from local visitors and companies. Moreover, the vast number of early bookings at the hotel and apartment complex in which he is in charge at the sales department encourages him to bravely face an existed challenges. “I think it was the most opportune moment to take this step,” he added.
Hotel David has seven double-rooms and all the necessary equipment. The prices will be adjusted to the middle segment, changing by seasons. The average cost will be GEL 100. More benefits will be offered to local customers.
Additional facilities will be offered in the future. In particular, an open outdoor café will be open soon, with free entrance not only by hotel guests but also others. The main concept of the café will be relaxation and pleasant atmosphere and most importantly, literature. Since there will also be a small-sized library. The current management of the hotel also plans to offer individual tours and transfers, stating that in this regard, there are many experienced travel companies in Kutaisi and they are going to actively cooperate with them.
According to the hotelier, the hotel market is quite saturated in Kutaisi, with a lot of good accommodation facilities. Every year the number increases and the quality of service develops, of course, the competition also grows, however, he believes that hotel David will be one of the worthy competitors as well.
The main tourist activity in Kutaisi is from May to October. However, the city also hosts many visitors with short trips in the rest of the year.
In order to develop local tourism, the GM thinks that the first and foremost is to find and implement a timely solution to the current situation, which is not only our reality and he hopes the world will be able to gain control of the virus in time. “In addition, it is necessary to resume flights and add new destinations. It is also crucial to develop a fast and sustainable infrastructure that will attract local and foreign visitors and will facilitate their movement and relaxation,” he said.
Kutaisi is very close to such resorts as Tskaltubo, Sairme, as well as many natural and historical-cultural treasures such as canyons, caves, temples, monasteries, and more. Therefore, as the GM of the hotel David, who has over ten years of experience in the hospitality sector, states in Kutaisi you will meet visitors from almost all segments.
Since traveling to foreign countries remain connected to lots of complications, further growth of domestic tourism is expected. We asked the hotelier to help plan our three days trip to Kutaisi, albeit, as he says, three days will not be enough.
“First I would suggest to get acquainted with Kutaisi with its sightseeing attractions, walk around the historical districts of the city, temples, synagogues, botanical gardens, museums, galleries, green market, which is so much loved by tourists, take a photo on the white bridge with Picasso boy and Bagrati view. Spend the evening on the territory of the city-museum and visit one of the distinguished bar-restaurants that are numerous here and where everyone will be hosted in traditional Imeretian and distinctive ways. I also recommend visiting the beautiful monasteries of Gelati and Motsameta, visit Chiatura, Tskaltubo, Sairme. Be sure to visit the caves of Sataplia Prometheus and Navenakhevi, as well as Martvili and Okatse and Kinchkha canyons. This is roughly a list that a visitor can make in three days, though there is still plenty to see and visit,” Kurchishvili told BM.GE.
