Students: Tamta Turmanidze, 2 course, Tamuna Rizhvadze, 2 course

Scientific supervisor: Nataliia Revutska, Phdin Economic Sciences, Batumi State Maritime Academy.

In many countries tourism is one of the leading economy sectors. Tourismis a priority market in Georgia too, with it’s high potential.The aim of research is to study the problems of tourism sphere and tojustify the prospects of it development. The research is based on touristssurvey which was held in Ajara.The objects of research are to: assess the environment in sphere of tourism. justify the future visions and perspectives of tourism market in Georgia.

Number of respondents - 50

Location:• Batumi Botanical

Garden • Coast Park

• Ski lift (Argo).

The questionnaires include 2 parts, each of which consists of

12 questions.

The research revealed some interesting trends. The main part of tourists were fromTurkey, Poland and Ukraine. There were also tourists from Moldova, the UnitedKingdom, Republic of South Africa and so on.

Visitors underline tourism potential of Georgia and they consider that it’s depend on the level of foreign languages of staff employed in tourism.

From survey it was found out that tourists who use hotel services, are satisfied with their level of quality. The main problem, which was indicated by tourists, is high prices on hotel services. It influences on competitiveness and prospects of development of tourism market.

Respondents have some claim concerning to sphere of transport. The main ofthem are: the need to adhere of safety rules by georgian drivers; the need indrivers speaking foreign languages.

In catering service like in other spheres tourists pointed the problem of necessity inpersonnel speaking on foreign languages.Some tourists pointed that prices in catering are expensive, but they like the tasteof Georgian food.

Identified problems of survey

The lack of personnel with

competency in speaking

foreign languages

Malfunctioning of road

infrastructure

Lack of qualified personnel

employed in tourism market

The high cost of

transport facilities

Lack of cheap

hotels and restaurants

Renovated noise

The prospects of tourism market development

Support for tourism market

development at the state

level

Development of “inside” and nature

tourismDevelopment

of tourism infrastructure

Trainings for

personnel of tourism

sphere

Benchmarking and

implementation of international standards in the tourism industry

Improvement of the legal

framework in tourism sphere

Batumi port is logistics center in the Caucasus region. This is the reason of perspectives for cruise tourism development. The great cultural experience, extraordinary hospitality of local population, exquisite wine and Ajarian cuisine will create lifetime memories for cruise passengers.

In the early stages of tourism development the government should take the initiative to encourage construction and expansion of tourism facilities, establishment of tour agencies, and training of personnel to development the tourism industry. Investment in tourism development must be carefully planned and managed to avoid the waste or diversion of resources.

Thank you for attention!