Tourism technologies, new visions and connections - "Tourist 2025" summit discussed the future development of Georgian tourism

The Georgian tourism summit "Tourist 2025" once again became a space where all important players of Georgian tourism meet - private sector, education, technologies, media and public agencies. This year's meeting clearly showed that "Tourist" is no longer just an event - it has become a platform where visions, collaborations are formed and conversations about what the future of Georgian tourism should be.

The main goal of Turister 2025 was to create a unique ecosystem where different links of the industry could effectively communicate with each other. According to the organizers, the dialogue and networking of professionals gathered in one space should become the foundation on which the future of Georgian tourism and new collaborations would be built.

The two-day program was intensive: 33 speakers from Georgia and abroad, 7 practical workshops, more than 300 attendees and about 200 business meetings on the new networking platform. Only the knowledge and contacts received here D goes beyond the scope of one event - they are transformed into specific projects, campaigns and partnerships in the Georgian tourism industry.

"The main goal was to discuss marketing and sales in tourism, and especially how technological solutions and artificial intelligence help these areas. In addition, issues in the hotel industry such as strengthening direct bookings are added. We talked about the development of sustainable tourism services. An important direction is how regions should be managed in the direction of tourism," says Mamuka Berdzenishvili, the organizer of the summit.

A specially created networking platform made it easy to book up to 200 meetings and connected hotels, tour operators, technology companies and various service providers.

Giorgi Akhalaia, the founder of "Wander", evaluates the importance of the summit as follows:

"Tourist has a special importance in this area to encourage and represent the players. That's it An important networking opportunity, we exchange news with each other, start partnerships, and this platform plays a big role in their development both on a personal and company level."

Global trends in the tourism and hotel industry are changing the rules of the game: the guest is more informed, the choice is diverse, and the competition is growing globally. That is why at this year's "Tourist" special attention was paid to technological solutions, the growth of direct sales and the integration of artificial intelligence in daily operations.

The spokesperson of Exely, Levan Leshkasheli, emphasized that the online environment is becoming crucial for hotels:

"At this year's event, we talked about the online market analysis and trends for the next year. The analysis, first of all, showed us that from next year it will be most important for each hotel or any accommodation facility to have its own website - with a functional, booking module and also an online payment system. language with this module. As for other trends, adding AI to everyday life is becoming another important aspect – it will make your work easier and help you process data.”

Giancarlo De Luca, Partnerships and Business Development Manager at Data Appeal Company and one of the Tourist's spokespersons talks about the importance of data.

In his opinion, data plays a crucial role in managing a hosting facility as well as any other business. Giancarlo De Luca emphasizes that all decisions, whether strategic or operational, must be based on data.

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the field of tourism is seen by a representative of the Data Appeal Company as a "big evolution" in the next five years, and not as a direct change in 2026. De Luca is particularly interested in how the transition from "Google advertising to AI advertising" will take place and how this change will permeate the advertising industry.

"We must We're going to move from Google advertising to AI advertising, and I'm very interested in how that's going to happen."

The scalability of "Tourist 2025" would not be possible without strategic partners. This year's summit was supported by such companies and organizations as: Beta Holding, RECONOMY / Helvetas / Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC /LED Georgia, Exely, Julius Meinl, Global Cel, Coliseum Marina Hotel, ibis Styles Batumi, Miele Georgia, Liebherr Appliances Georgia, Imedi L, Kerki, Georgian Tourism Association, Ikonsuli, Winery Chosen 1920, BMG.ge, Entrepreneur Georgia and travelnews.ge.

"Beta Holding" is already a traditional partner for this platform, whose support further emphasizes the ecosystem role of "Tourist":

"Beta Holding has been supporting tourists for three years. This platform brings together people who create the future of tourism in our country. We believe that proper communication and quality advertising can make a great contribution Contribution to the development of tourism in Georgia. Today, this platform allows us to communicate with representatives of various fields and highlight the tourism opportunities of our country," says Geno Iremadze, head of "Beta Holding".

Behind all such events is a team for whom tourism is not only a sector, but also a professional and personal mission. "Tourist 2025" was again created together by the Institute of Tourism and the digital marketing agency Shindi. It was their planned program, selected speakers and detailed organization that created the atmosphere that makes the summit unique every year.

The result of "Tourist 2025" is not only expressed in numbers - these are real opportunities for Georgian business - new contracts, joint campaigns, regional projects and the knowledge that brings local tourism even closer to global standards.

In the end, it can be safely said that the main idea of ​​the summit was successfully implemented — New, viable connections were born in the industry. As a result of a special networking platform and direct interaction, market players got to know each other better and discovered new opportunities for cooperation, as a result of which competition turned into potential for partnership. "Tourist" created an environment where ideas were transformed into real projects, and established contacts are a guarantee that the development of the field will continue in the future - not by individual steps, but by coordinated and unified efforts.

"It is important for us that every year "Tourist" becomes a place where we not only talk about challenges, but also see real ways to increase the competitiveness of Georgian tourism," says Mamuka Berdzenishvili.

The summit ended with these words: "See you in 2026!" - united again around the goal of creating new connections and an even stronger, innovative and sustainable future of tourism in Georgia.