8-9 November 2019. Khulo – Up to 20 tourist service providers from Khulo municipality took part in a two-day training in agritourism organised in the framework of the EU-funded ENPARD II project “Promotion of rural development and diversification in Khulo Municipality”. The training aimed at improving the knowledge and quality of the provision of rural tourist services and sharing recent tendencies in this sector.

First day of the training, which took place in Khulo, was led by Teumiraz Abesadze, Professor of Telemark University of Norway and by Rostom Beridze, Dean of Tourism faculty of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. The training topic was Norwegian examples in agritourism and experience sharing.

Second day of the training started with masterclass in wine cellar “Shato Iveri” in Keda municipality. The trainer, Rostom Beridze, guided participants during the masterclass and introduced key details in rural tourism. Second part of the training day was led by an invited lecturer of tourism faculty, Hans-Ulrich Trosien and was dedicated to the ways of promotion and development of tourist services in Khulo municipality.

Every year, number of tourists is growing in Ajara region. However, due to insufficient quality of provided tourist services, the population of rural areas does not fully benefit from tourism. Accordingly, agritourism trainings and workshops aim to increase the quality of tourist services in regions, that in turn provide development and diversification of economic activities in rural areas.

The EU is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. More information on ENPARD is available at: www.enpard.ge