Bakhvi HPP’s social program encompasses infrastructure, educational initiatives, and support for people withspecial needs in villages near the project site (Mtispiri and Chokhatauri), while also focusing on long-term economic benefits. In this regard, Bakhvi HPP has been collaborating with USAID’s Economic Security Program for the second year. This partnership has led to the significant initiative of establishing the “Tea Rout of Guria,” a project aimed at developing tourism products, enhancing tea producers' capabilities, supporting the Tea Rout Association, and establishing market connections with the tourism industry to position Guria’s tea as prominently as wine in Kakheti.
The “Tea Rout” project connects several types of guesthouses and estates that offer authentic products and are well-positioned to host tourists. Visitors on this route can enjoy tea tastings, local dishes, and gain insights into the ethnographic characteristics of Gurian villages.
The “Tea Rout” project connects several types of guesthouses and estates that offer authentic products and are well-positioned to host tourists. Visitors on this route can enjoy tea tastings, local dishes, and gain insights into the ethnographic characteristics of Gurian villages. David Koberidze, Bakhvi HPP’s Environmental and Social Issues Manager, remarked: “The development of the ‘Tea Rout’ project is progressing successfully. We are grateful to the Association and its staff for their active involvement at every stage of the project. Their significant efforts contribute to the advancement of the hospitality sector, providing high-quality services to tourists seeking unique experiences. Guria, with its nature, folklore, traditional cuisine, and tea culture, has the potential to offer unforgettable experiences to international visitors. We are delighted to develop this project in partnership with USAID’s Economic Security Program and enhance knowledge and expertise about Gurian tea.”
Ia Urushadze, Coordinator of Tea Rout Hospitality, added: “We identified 16 host families in the municipalities of Chokhatauri, Ozurgeti, and Lanchkhuti, attracted industry experts, and carried out needs assessments. We then provided services tailored to these needs, including creating marketing plans and logos for each property, registering social media pages, integrating them into various tourism applications, and enhancing tourism infrastructure with tasting areas. We also provided consultations on product development and gastronomy. This extensive work will undoubtedly assist host families in attracting tourists and increasing satisfaction levels.”
The “Tea Rout Association” continues to develop the sector and promote tea culture both domestically and internationally. Over the past two years, the Association has participated in festivals, organized exhibitions and sales, and established relationships with importers to increase Gurian tea exports. The Association is also working on aligning Gurian tea standards with European standards. In April, the Association’s chairman met with the management of the importing company “Tea Mountain Co” in Prague, which plans to export between 800 and 1000 tons of tea to the Czech Republic this year. On April 30, a traditional tea and honey festival was held in Tbilisi’s Mtatsminda Park, featuring over 20 local and international tea producers. Members of the Tea Rout Association, including “Shemoqmedi” (Ozurgeti), “Nagomari” (Ozurgeti), and “Aromati” (Lanchkhuti), participated in the festival.
Bakhvi HPP continues to support the “Tea Rout Association,” with several exciting events planned for the summer season.