November 2019, Kazbegi and Mestia – The EU-supported Khulo Local Action Group (LAG) within the frame of the project “Promotion of service quality development in the guest houses in Khulo Municipality” organized a study visit in Kazbegi and Mestia to share the experience with local guesthouse operators in the field of guesthouse management. In total, 13 Guesthouses operators participated in the event. Duration of study visits was 4 days. Masterclasses were conducted by local guesthouse owners.

Director of Kazbegi LAG Shorena Sujashvili is sharing very interesting opinion – ‘’Very big experience accumulated in field of guesthouse management in Kazbegi municipality; therefore, we have possibility to share practical examples to other service providers. Most important is the cooperation between LAGs, because we will have possibilities to plan many more joint activities in the future’’.

Study visit was conducted in very active regime. Guesthouse operators received practical information in different fields:  (1) how to register in different touristic web pages; (2)agrotourism and its positive sides; (3)pricing and  seasonal discounts; (4)practical tools of guesthouse management; (5)provision of additional services [Transfer, Tour organization and etc.]; (6)how to introduce local culture and history;  (7) catering;  (8) Guesthouse room cleaning methods, (9) Modern advertising techniques in tourism business, (10) Importance of balanced menu, (11) Specifics of guest accommodation. Practical activities were conducted in above-mentioned topics. Guesthouse operators from Khulo municipality were actively involved in discussion process.

‘’Study visit was very interesting for me, I learned many practical examples and I am returning with many ideas which I will introduce in my guesthouse – stated, owner of guesthouse ‘’Skhalta’’ Izolda Surmanidze.

The project is financed jointly by the US Embassy small grant program and Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia.