Tourism Potential of Imereti

Özet

Georgia is a country with ancient history and original unique culture. The country history
is a long list of rises and downfalls of empires, intrusions of external enemies, violence
and wars. But, at the same time, this country has huge cultural heritage. Georgia is a
unique country possessing enormous tourism potential. Extended along the Black Sea
coast, it has about 300 mountains (Abastumani, Bakuriani, Bahmaro, Gudauri, etc.),
seaside (Kobuleti, Ureki, Batumi, and etc.), balneotherapeutic and mud (Borzhomi,
Sairme, Likani, and etc.) health resorts, over 10 thousand monuments of archeology,
history, architecture and art, and also numerous nature sanctuaries. And all these are
concentrated within the small territory occupied by the hospitable and distinctive people.
Since the Georgian government decided to move their parliament to Kutaisi, there
has been a lot of work on restoring streets, buildings, parks and monuments and the
city has become much safer. But a visit here is nonetheless near mandatory to see the
magnificent Bagrati Cathedral, and Gelati Monastery, both of which are UNESCO World
Heritage sites, and have commanding views from the mountain slopes over the city and
the Rioni river.