MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

On 23-26 October this year, Tbilisi will host the International Forum of Innovations for Hospitality and Tourism Industry, the Welcome Challenge. Presentation on the issue was held at the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel, which was attended by the First Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Dimitry Kumsishvili. 

Head of the National Tourism Administration Giorig Chogovadze, founder of the CBC Georgia, Saba Kiknadze and the CBC CEO, Gela Andrew Suli also attended the meeting. 

International Forum of Innovations for Hospitality and Tourism Industry, the Welcome Challenge is an annual event connecting investors and startup companies. It will be held in Tbilisi with the support of the National Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. 

The Forum will bring together the most innovative startups in the field, the industry's leading experts and the representatives of the major international corporations and financial companies looking for new investment opportunities.

Dimitry Kumsishvili stated that it is very important to Georgia to hold the Forum of such significance. “Why is this event so important for our country and why do we support it? Tourism is a sector of special importance for Georgia since the hospitality is our essential feature. At the same time, this is a great source of employment and income generation, and therefore, another opportunity to mark Georgia on the world’s tourist map as one of the most important players is out of significance to us. As a rule, the heads of the large and well-known brands participate in such events and are looking for new, innovative ideas that were generated during the year – the ideas that can increase efficiency, reduce costs and attract more tourists or holiday-makers in different destinations and directions while the range of innovations is very wide,” – the First Vice Prime Minister commented.