Georgia opens new resort - Mestiya

On December 24, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili opened a new resort in the village of Mestiya located in Svaneti. A new nearby airport for small aircrafts will service the new resort.

"This Georgian resort has the biggest potential for tourism; according to several criteria: indescribable beauty, topography and climate - very dry and healthy, with optimum temperatures in winter and summer. And what most important - a rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine and good people," said Mikhail Saakashvili at the opening ceremony in Mestiya.

Residents of the place have shared their estimates on the steps of the Government to develop the new resort with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent:

"Half of Mestiya residents rent their houses to tourists during the season. And I can state that this summer the new road allowed us to take more tourists; thus, it had positive impact on the welfare of the people," Malkhaz Argvliani, an owner of a local mini-hotel, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

However, as other locals say, agriculture is still the main source of their incomes. They grow potatoes, make spices, grow livestock and make cheese and other dairy products. Svans (local nationals) sell their goods in the marketplace.

According to local residents, power remains a problem. Electricity is supplied to Svaneti without failures, but gas does not get to the mountains; thus, even in the hotel hot water and heating are provided by a boiler house, which runs on fuel oil (mazut).

The average hotel rate is 120 US dollars per day for a double room and breakfast. In case of three meals a day the rate goes up to 150 US dollars per day.