6th International Conference Standards in Tourism 31th October, 2023

09:30

Reception, soft drinks and coffee

10:00-10:30

Welcome Speech

·         Natalie Kvachantiradze – Chairperson of Georgian Tourism Association

Host of the conference

·         Teona Nemsitsveridze – Head of Standards committee

Project Author

·         Andria Basilaia – DEPUTY MAYOR OF TBILISI

·         Maia Omiadze – Head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA)

               Georgian National Tourism Administration is a Legal entity of Public law, a part of

               The system of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

10:30 – 12:00

12:00 – 12:30

12:30 – 14:30

·         David Tsiklauri PHD  – Senior Private Sector Development Advisor Office Competitiveness Team Leader of Economic Growth – USAID

SESSION 1 –Destination, Importance of regulation criteria for DMO

·         Teona Nemsitsveridze – Head of Standards Committee

GTA Recommendations for DMO

·         Natalia Bakhtadze.Englaender- Head of Georgian Ecotourism Association
Importance of green certification for the destinations of Georgia;

·         Vano Vashakmadze – USAID Tourism Sector Lead, Economic Security Program – Svaneti – Tourism Development Perspectives.

·         Giorgi Khishtovani  – Research Director at PMCG – Tourism Development at Local Level via Business Cluster Creation: The Case of Oni Tourism Cluster

·         Berdia Chankseliani -Deputy Governor in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region;

·         Gia Oniani – Mayor of Lentekhi municipality – Consequences of climate change and Nature’s challenges for the destination;

·         Vera Zurabiani – Head of  Tskaltubo tourism development Center – Rural Tourism

·         Jim Sano –(WWF) World Wildlife Fund’s Vice-President for Travel, Tourism and Conservation

Quick summary – Q&A    

Coffee break  

SESSION 2 – Hotel and Accommodations

A mixture of panel discussions and interactive with national experts and International speakers

·         Elene Manjgaladze – The Biltmore Hotel – E-commerce manager  – Welcome speech from Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi;

·         Ketevan Gogotchuri  – Program Officer, Europe and Eurasia  – Center for International Private Enterprise – welcome speech

·         Teona Nemsitsveridze – Head of Standards Committee – GTA recommendations and criteria for the Hotels;

·         Randy Durband – CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) – The Journey toward becoming certified as a Sustainable Hotel/Accommodation

·         Marco Ardielli – co founder ARDIELLIFORNASA

·         Andrew Terry – CEO Linac Technology & Linac Learning

·         Infinite Solution – The role of Digitalization.

Panel discussions speakers will join

Andro Barnovi – CEO Local Hospitality Group

Tamar Tsamalaidze – General Manager – Hotel Marco Polo Gudauri

Elene Manjgaladze – The Biltmore Hotel – E-commerce manager 

Quick summary – Q&A

14:30 – 15:30

15:30 – 17:00

Lunch break AND NETWERKING

SESSION 3 – Sustainable Mice Tourism Criteria

·         Welcome speech from GNTA

• BTL Georgia – Maya Bibilauri, head of MICE committee at Georgian Tourism Association – about challenges at MICE tourism in Georgia
• Dr. Mihee Kang – GSTC Director for the Asia Pacific region – Developing the GSTC MICE Criteria – Challenges and Opportunities

Quick summary – Q&A

17:00– 17:30

17:30 – 18:00

Auditory to speakers

Networking