ON WHAT THE GEORGIAN ECONOMY SETS HOPES AND WHERE NEW JOBS WILL BE CREATED

Gogi Kuparadze

Since ancient times people have been using natural resources for health improving and curative purposes.

Literary the word “resort” means “a place for treatment”. The basic effect of spa treatment is determined by the main resort factor – it can be mineral water, curative mud, climate and karst cave. Added to this is a psychoemotional effect of a resort or a resort place on a person. In particular, a beautiful landscape, the sound of rivers and sea waves, the scent of forest and plants, singing of birds, etc.
Balneology studies the effect of resort factors on a human body, their application with the purpose of prevention and rehabilitation, determination methods as well as indications and contra-indications of treatment at the resorts.
It is known that in ancient Georgia resort factors were widely used for treatment and prevention purposes. When Queen Tamar fell ill, the doctors advised her to change the climate for the mountain one and move from Nacharmagevi to Kojori. As early as in XII century the fundamentals of balneology, as an important branch of medicine, were laid, though there is data that since ancient times Georgia’s natural factors were used for health improvement and treatment. This fact is confirmed by excavations of ancient times as well as the stories of ancient authors, in which the data on the mineral springs existing in Kolkheti lowland has been retained.
Before Georgia’s annexation, the health resort business fell in the hands of private owners. The resorts turned into rest and entertainment places for the Tsar’s officials and the ruling stratums of society. Borgjomi and Abastumani belonged to Russian Grand Duke Mikhail Ronanov, Gagra – to the Prince of Oldenburg, Tbilisi thermal waters – to the Bebutovs, the Mirzoevs, etc.
After establishment of the Soviet regime in Georgia, a great importance was attached to the development of the resorts and branches of balneology, as well as of their scientific fundamentals.
In 1927 the Georgian Institute of Physiotherapy and Balneology was established, on the basis of which the Resort Commission was set up later that existed with the purpose of the right selection of a resort and rest regime for the patients.
In 1938 Tbilisi Balneal Resort in Abanotubani was established on the basis of thermal-sulphuric mineral waters. In the recent past Georgia had a reputation of a country of resorts and tourism, which was based on unique natural and resort conditions and a rich historical and cultural heritage. However, its development was not objective by character, but based on the soviet ideology and subjectivism, proceeding from the interests of different branches and organizations. The resort-tourism industry of that time was scattered according to different departments and the system of related organizations. The following organizations were in charge of this sphere: the Republican Council for Tourism and Excursions that was subordinate to trade unions, “Intourist” company that was administered directly from Moscow, “Sputnik” – the body of Komsomol’s Central Committee, the Republican Council of Trade Unions’ Resorts, “Sakkurorti” that was in charge of most of the local resorts, “Tsekavshiri”, “Sakkoljamrteloba” and other organizations. Besides, the Union’s ministries had their own sanatoriums and tourist centers.
In 1980s all these establishments had 624 hotels, tourist centers, sanatoriums, holiday centers, camping-sites, motels, etc., the total capacity of which made up 152.2 thousand places.
The main part of them fell on resort units (in 1988-89 the number of places made up 103 places).
The annual number of organized and unorganized tourists as well as patients coming to Georgia for medical treatment purposes made 4-4.5 million people, and out of them almost 1 million people were having a rest at the resorts (in 1989, according to the official data, 980 000 patients were registered at the Georgian resort units).
These figures speak about Georgia’s big tourist potential, but in the light of these figures we should see that the tourism that existed in 1970s and 1980s, according to its form and content, was left behind in the past, leaving a lot of wrong views and stereotypes for us.
Here we should point out the fact that such a great damage was caused to tourism and resort industry of none of the post-socialist counties the way it took place in Georgia, when the state had to accommodate hundreds of thousands of refugees from Abkhazia and Samachablo in the best hotels, sanatoriums and holiday centers. All this practically paralyzed the tourist and resort infrastructure.
Now the Georgian tourist and resort industry is turning to a qualitatively new system and during this period it has to overcome a lot of obstacles.
Creation, modernization and development of the infrastructure started practically anew, at some resorts rehabilitation of old sanatoriums and holiday centers takes place, in places where there are prospects of the development of curative health-improving tourism the construction of hotels and recreational facilities is underway.
This process is very important since the network of sanatoriums, as usual, will be intended for treatment of chronic diseases, and that of tourist hotels, campsites – for retaining and recovery of the healthy contingent’s health as well as prevention of various diseases.
From the viewpoint of diversity of resort resources Georgia is a unique country. Here on the territory of 70 000 m2, along with 1200 historical monuments, there are 103 resorts on the basis of natural curative resources, and also 182 resort places that are absolutely not developed from the view point of organized rest and health-improving of the population.
The country’s tourist-resort potential is determined by the following: 1. A strip of the Black Sea coast, the length of which is 318 km. It represents the basis of a mass tourism. 2. Mountain ridges of the big and small Kavkasioni that stretch from the Kaspian Sea to the Black Sea for 1500 km. Georgian mountain regions create favorable conditions for the development of mountain-ski tourism and mountaineering, the height of summits there reaches 5000m. 3. Unique resorts.
Georgia is a resort country. The resorts are situated in different climatic zones. On the Abkhazian sea coast – Gagra, Bichvinta, New Aphon, Sokhumi, Gulripshi. In Ajara – Batumi, Kobuleti, Green Cape, Chakvi, Makhinjauri. In Guria – Ureki. In Megrelia – Maltakva. Balneal resorts – Borjomi, Tskaltubo, Sairme, Nunisi, Utsera, etc. Mountain resorts – Abastumani, Tsagveri, Tsemi, Phapha, Manglisi, Gudauri, Bakuriani, Shovi, Bakhmaro.
The territory of Georgia is situated on the northern border of the subtropical climatic zone, because of which there are optimal conditions of solar radiation and thermal regime there. Sea and mountains create a wide variety of landscapes and microclimatic conditions, which is very favorable for the development of both resorts and tourism.
A lot of curative mud deposits have been revealed in our country, out of which Kumisi swamp silt’s and Akhtala pseudo-volcanic mud are widely used. There are also a lot of karst caves, which are used for treatment of the chronic diseases of the respiratory system, bronchial asthma and functional diseases of the nervous system. Georgia is also rich in curative mineral waters having different chemical composition, the total number of which exceeds 2000 springs and boring wells having a daily flow of about 130 million liters. 50% of the mentioned flow is drinking mineral water, and the rest is used for baths and other procedures. Almost all kinds and classes of mineral water existing in the world are to be found on a small territory of our country. Centuries-old history of mineral waters’ application for curative purposes (for drinking and baths) has shown the possibility of prevention and treatment of a large number of diseases of the digestive apparatus, musculoskeletal system, blood circulation system, peripheral nervous system, as well as of gynaecological, urological and skin diseases, dysbolism, etc.
One of traditional directions of tourism in Georgia is organization of SPA rest in patient care institutions existing on the basis of mineral waters. From this point of view, all resorts are important, but in the previous work we paid attention to some of them only. The criterion of this choice was a more well-ordered general or resort infrastructure in comparison with other resorts, and, hence, comparatively high standards of the service offered here. The resort Tskaltubo is considered as an exception, where, in view of the well known events, the resort infrastructure is practically ruined now, but still it is a symbol of balneology for Georgia, especially because the process of privatization of Tskaltubo’s resort facilities is starting, and, according to the preliminary data there is a great interest in them among both local and foreign investors.

Borjomi – Balneo-Climatic SPA TOWN
Borjomi is a well-known Georgian resort. It is situated in the mountainous region of southeast Georgia. Borjomi is one of the most famous and recognized balneo-climatic resorts. A very rich and diverse nature and unique mineral curative waters made it famous as yearly as in the first half of the last century. Borjomi is situated in the canyon at confluence of the river Mtkvari and its two tributaries – Borjomula and Gujarula at the height of 800-1000 meters above the sea level.
The basic part of the word “borjomi” is “borgi”, which means “root” in Georgian. Historically Borjomi canyon was called Tori canyon. The climates peculiarities are stipulated by the resort’s location in the low-mountainous woody area of the subtropical zone. The summer is warm with predominantly sunny days (average temperature of air in August is +20.1 0C), cold weather comes from the end of October, winter is moderately mild, there is little snow. Average temperature in January is – 2.1 0C. Average annual temperature is +9.1 0C. The amount of precipitations reaches 653 mm. Average relative humidity in August – 50%, in December – 65%. Duration of solar illumination on the plateau – 1900 hours a year.
Borjomi’s main resort factor is universally known mineral waters (similar to French Vichy). According to the chemical composition, mineral waters are referred to carbonaceous, hydrocarbonate and natrium ones, which contain carbonic acid in the amount of 0.5 – 1.5 g/l. The temperature of water in different springs ranges from +17 to + 38 0C. General mineralization makes up 6-7 g/l, the flow of water is changeable and makes up 700-800 thousand a day.
Mineral waters are mainly applied at the resort as a medicinal drink, for hydrotherapeutic procedures, inhalations, stomach and bowels lavage, and in non-resort conditions – as a medicinal and table water.
The resort is functioning the whole year round.
Borjomi’s building up started from 1850, and it was announced as a town in 1919.
The mineral waters park was laid out. In 1896 a mineral waters factory was built at the park’s entrance. In 1899 the first hydroelectric power station in Georgia was constructed on the river Borjomula.
In 1930 a glass factory was constructed.
Mineral water “Borjomi” took part in various international exhibitions and won many awards.
In 1907 – a diploma in the town of Spa (Belgium);
In 1909 – a big gold medal in the city of Kazan;
In 1911 – a gold medal in Tsarskoye Selo;
In 1911 – a diploma in Dresden (Germany);
In 1940 – a gold medal in Tallinn;
In 1960 – a diploma at the Exhibition of the National Economy’s Achievements of the USSR;
In 1970 – a diploma in Hungary.
Now mineral water “Borjomi” is exported to 26 countries of the world.
In 1862 a brother of the Russia’s Emperor Alexander II – Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov was appointed governor-general of the Caucasus. He liked Borjomi very much and turned it into his summer residence. Later Joseph Stalin visited this residence as well.
In 1887 Peter Chaikovsky was having a rest in Borjomi. He wrote: “From my point of view, it is a divine and the best place in the world”.
In the near future the resort town will rank with the world’s resorts, where tourists from both Georgia and other countries will be able to come for curative and health-improving purposes.
Trip: by train or motor transport.
Bakuriani – SKI RESORT
Bakuriani is a borough in Borjomi region, situated at the distance of 37 km from Borjomi railway station. It is included in the group of Borjomi-Bakuriani resorts. It is situated on the north side of Trialety mountain ridge in the system of small Kavkasioni mountain ridge at the hight of 170 m above the sea level. The resort’s territory and its neighborhood is rich in vegetation: coniferous forest tracts (spruce, fir), above the timberline there are alpine meadows. The resort has been functioning since 1936.
Bakuriani is one of ski training centers in the country. National and international winter sports competitions are often held here.
Now Bakuriani is one of aspirants for holding of winter Olympic games in 2014.
The resort’s climate conditions are stipulated by its location in the subtropical zone, comparatively high in the mountains. Spring is short here. It is cooler in autumn and the weather is changeable. Summer is moderately cool (average temperature in August is +14 0C). Frosts begin at the end of September. Winter is moderately mild (average temperature in January is – 5.6 0C). It is characterized by a large number of sunny and moderately frosty days. Blanket of snow lasts for 4.5 months – from the beginning of December to the middle of April. Annual amount of precipitations is about 800 mm. Relative air humidity ranges from 57 to 65%. Duration of solar illumination exceeds 2000 hours a year. Of which, 650 hours falls on the summer season. Intensity of ultraviolet radiation is rather high, there are no strong wings as a rule.
Dry mountain air sodden with the aroma of coniferous trees, abundance of solar radiation, etc create favorable conditions for treatment of respiratory apparatus’s chronic diseases of nontuberculous character, including bronchial asthma. The resort’s peculiar climate is also used for conducting of health-improving and preventive arrangements, especially among children.
Trip: by train (from Borjomi) and motor transport.

Tskaltubo – SPA Town
Tskaltubo is a spa resort famous in the world. According to the legend, a shepherd grazed a flock not far from warm springs. There he came across one of them. He suffered from boneache. He put his sore feet into the water a felt a relief. A Megrelian queen who had cramps learnt about this incident from shepherds. After several bathings in the warm water she ridded herself of her disease. Thus, the spring became famous.
The town is situated in the canyon of the river Tskaltubo, which flows together with the river Gubistskali (the right tributary of the river Rioni), at a distance of 9 km to the north-west from Kutaisi, 235 km from Tbilisi and 70 km from the Black Sea, at the height of 95-120 m above the sea level. A branching of Samgurali mountain ridge (the system of big Kavkasioni mountain ridge) adjoins the resort from the north-east, and from the south – Kolkheti mountain ridge stretching to the Black Sea, the hills surrounding it are covered with rich subtropical vegetation, evergreen bushes and broad-leaved trees (oak, beech, hornbeam).
The climate’s peculiarities are stipulated by the resort’s location in the woody subtropical zone, closeness to the Black Sea and by the fact that it is protected against cold northern winds by the the big Kavkasioni mountain ridge, average annual temperature is + 14.6 0C. Winter is very mild and snowless (average temperature in January is + 5.3 0C), summer is very warm and moderately humid (average temperature in August is + 23.8 0C). The resort is characterized sunny days though rain and nebulosity are not rare. Annual amount of precipitations makes up 1700 mm. Annual relative humidity is 73%. Duration of solar illumination is more 2000 hours a year. The most intensive winds (western and eastern) blow in spring and winter.
The resort’s unique mineral waters made it famous, which are well-known in Georgia since ancient times. Tskaltubo mineral waters are characterized by stable physicochemical properties. They are referred to slightly radon (2-4 n. curie or 3.0-10.0 units), chloride- hydrocarbonate- sulphate, sulphate- magnesion ones with general mineralization of 0.7-0.8 g/l, daily flow of the springs makes up 18-20 million liters. High curative and prevention effectiveness of mineral waters is stipulated by their complex composition and special combination of the basic components of salts. Natural temperature of the waters (33-35 0C) gives an opportunity of their use without preliminary heating.
The resort is functioning the whole year round. Here patients with diseases of musculoskeletal system, as well as neurologic, cardiological and gynaecological diseases (of both children and adults) are mainly treated. Taking of balneal procedures by patients on arriving to the resort and before departure is not recommended. During the course of treatment the number of baths and the rules of their taking is determined by the doctor in charge of the case, taking into account the patient’s age and peculiarities of concomitant diseases.
In 1970s another natural curative factor – karst caves – was discovered and studied in Tskaltubo, the microclimate of which (especially that of the White Cave) is successfully used for treatment of essential hypertension, bronchial asthma and neurosis.
Trip: by train and motor transport

Sairme – DESTINATION SPA
The word “sairme” in Georgian means “a place of deers”. As it is known from a legend, in winter deers and wild goats from the surrounding woods used to come and gather at mineral waters, because of which hunters called this place “sairme”.
Sairme is situated in Baghdati region, 25 km to the south-west of the region’s center and 55 km to the south of the city of Kutaisi, on the northern side of Meskheti mountain ridge (in the system of small Kavkasioni), at the height of 950 km above the sea level, in the canyon of the river Tsablaris Tskali. The surrounding mountainsides are covered with deciduous (oak, beech, etc) and coniferous forests. The resort has been functioning since 1920.
The climate is stipulated by the resort’s location in the subtropical forest zone, average annual temperature is + 8.5 0C, winter is mild with small amount of snow (average temperature in January is +17 0C). The amount of precipitations exceeds 900 mm a year. Average relative humidity is 75-80%. In summer mountain-valley winds often blow, which provides for sufficient natural aeration.
The main natural curative factor is mineral waters, which became famous at the end of XIX century. By their chemical composition they are referred to carbon, hydrocarbonate, calcium-natrium (spring ‡1 and ‡3) and carbon, hydrocarbonate, natrium Borjomi type (spring ‡4 and ‡5) waters. Mineralization of different springs ranges from 3.6 to 7.0 g/l. Especially health-giving effect of Sairme carbonic acid waters on kidneys and urinary tracts has been established, which stipulated for the resort’s urological orientation. Besides, here they treat patients with diseases of liver, gall-bladder, gastrointestinal tract and dysbolism. Mineral water is bottled under the name of “Sairme” with the purpose of treating in non-resort conditions.
At a distance of 5 km from Sairme, in Udabno village, they discovered a slightly sulfided thermal mineral water (temperature + 43 0C) with mineralization of 0.3 g/l, daily flow makes up 500 thousand liters, on the basis of which a bath was constructed.
Sairme resort functions in summer – from May to November inclusive. Here patients from both sanatorium and outpatient sectors are treated.
Trip: by train (to the station of Rioni or Kutaisi), then by motor transport

Nunisi – DESTINATION SPA
It is situated in Kharagauli region, at a distance of 8 km from Moliti railway station and 3.5 km to the north of Zvare resort, on the foothills of Likhi (Surami) mountain ridge (connects small and big Kavkasioni), at the hight of 750-800 m above the sea level. The place is very beautiful. The surrounding mountainsides are covered with deciduous (oak, beech, hornbeam) and coniferous (pine, fir, spruce) forests. The climate is subtropical, winter is mild with a little amount of snowfall (average temperature in January is about 0 0C), summer is warm and moderately humid (average temperature in August + 20-22 0 0C). Average annual amount of precipitations makes up about 1200 mm. Relative air humidity in summer makes up 70%.
The main natural curative factor is mineral waters, which, according to their chemical composition, are referred to slightly sulphide, chloride-hydrocarbonate, natrium ones with low mineralization (0.2-0.3 g/l) and above normal content of silicic acid. The water’s temperature is +27 0C. Daily flow of the springs makes up 80 thousand liters. It is used for bath procedures.
The resort is functioning during the summer season (from May to October inclusive). It is intended for treatment of skin diseases.
Samta-Nunisi (elite mountain resort in Borjomi-Kharagouli forest park) is of interest for both healthy holiday-makers and the ones having various skin diseases as well. Park hotel is situated in the south-east part of Imereti, at the height of 720-760 m above the sea level. The main curative factor is naturally warm mineral sulphuric water having alkaline reaction (8.3-8.4). Nunisi mineral water has no analogues in the world, according to its composition and curative properties. Its baths are famous as an irreplaceable mean for treatment of chronic diseases of skin, musculoskeletal system, pathologies of the peripheral nervous system and anemia.
It has a rejuvenating effect on healthy skin and improves its condition. The hotel is equipped in accordance with the modern standards and offers the following to holiday-makers:
Ï% Curative programs according to the latest method. Qualified dermatologists, therapeutists, dietitians and balneologists will take care of you.
Ï% Excursions on foot, by car or on horseback.
Ï% Three wholesome meals a day cooked in accordance with doctors’ recommendations.
Ï% The following is at the disposal of active rest’s lovers: satellite TV channels, restaurant, bar, phytobar, billiard, trainers, table tennis.
At the resort, the course of balneotherapy is individual for every patient. Its duration is determined by a dermatologist and a balneologist. On average, the course of treatment includes 15-20 procedures.
Indications for treatment with Nunisi mineral water: psoriasis, eczema, neurodermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, chronic nettle-rash, lichen ruber planus, prurigo, neuroses, diseases of the peripheral nervous system (radiculitis, neuritis, neuralgia). There are health-improving programs at the resort: body treatment with vitamins and minerals; body clearance from slags; normalization of metabolism; normalization of sleep; weight correction; improvement of the immune system; normalization of the digestive system by means of “Zvare” mineral water.
Trip: by motor transport (from Meliti railway station).

Ureki – THALASSOTHERAPY
It is a borough in Uzurgeti region. It is situated on the Black Sea coast at a distance of 4 km to the south of the mouth of the Supsa river and 20 km to the south of Poti. The relief is plain, occupies the western part of Kolkheti lowland. Vegetation is subtropical (orchards, palms, etc). Climate is subtropical, very mild, winter is snowless (average temperature in January is + 5.8 0C), summer is very warm (average temperature in August is + 23 0C). Average annual anout of precipitations is 2000 mm. Relative air humidity is 78%. Winds are not infrequent, predominantly western and eastern ones.
Ureki recreation center “Mountain Crystal” is situated in the south-west part of Kolkheti lowland, at a distance of 20 km to the south of Poti, in Ozurgeti region’s borough of Ureki (Magnetite settlement).
Both a railway and a highway pass through Ureki. It is situated at a distance of 100 km from Kutaisi and 20 km from Poti.
Ureki “Mountain Crystal” is a seven-storeyed building with a nutrition unit and auxiliary premises, it occupies the area 5 hectares. “Mountain Crystal” has a club, bar, video-bar; there is an open café-bar in the form of a yacht on the building’s roof. It has sports grounds and a beach of its own. Trade and entertainment units are situated on its territory.
Ureki “Mountain Crystal” simultaneously caters for 290 holiday-makers in double one-room apartments and two and three room luxury apartments. Each apartment has a separate sanitary arrangements and hot water. Holiday-makers are provided with three meals a day and are attended to by a masseur doctor.
Ureki’s nature is characterized be a combination of sea, sun and velvet-like sand, which has magnetic properties. On the Black Sea cost this kind of sand can be met in Ureki only.
Ureki’s resort factors are used for treatment of various diseases, in particular of the cardiovascular system, peripheral circulatory system, functional diseases of the nervous system, the diseases of the musculoskeletal system of both grown ups and children. At Urekin “Mountain Crystal” it is possible to accommodate both tourist groups and individual holiday-makers (with families) and draw special and sports programs for them.
Duration of the resort season is from July 1 to November 1.
Trip: by train and motor transport.