One of the mysterious parts of Georgia, Svaneti is expected to be marked on the map of hikers. This time, Georgia also joined the global event of long-distance hiking or HIGHLANDER ADVENTURE, which is awaited by hiking enthusiasts in 15 countries of the world every year.
The event is being held with the direct involvement of the GRETA project of the European Union, Austria and Sweden. With the help of donors, Svaneti has been hosting about 500 guests for 3 days; direct investment in the region exceeded 100,000 GEL.
Preparations for the event take place throughout the year, including the basic rules that the organizers of this event observe and check equally in all countries.
The Becho Valley was the starting location of the Highlanders. A total of 117 hikers were registered, including both Georgians and visitors from abroad who visited Svaneti with their families and friends especially for this event.
HIGHLANDER ADVENTURE brought about 500 guests to Svaneti, creating an additional source of income for local small businesses.
"As a result of our pre-campaign, we reached 8 million people and informed them about the nature and culture of Svaneti. About 500 people have come here as guests, who, of course, also use the hotel here, eat here; this will be a direct financial benefit for the people," - Tedo Makashvili, the Head of the HIGHLANDER GEORGIA project said.
After the Svan culinary master class, the Austrian Ambassador, Thomas Mühlmann, joined the hiking route the next day. The global event ended in the village of Khalde. The participants, who reached the finish line, received a HIGHLANDER status.
A long-distance hiking event supported by the European Union, Austria and Sweden has drawn its finale. However, as the organizers of the project say, this is not the final. New adventures will continue in the coming years. According to them, HIGHLANDER plans to mark not only Svaneti, but also other regions of Georgia on the map of hikers, which promises even more increased revenues to the country.
To be informed, the GRETA project aims to promote the improvement of the business environment in the country, thereby increasing the possibility of creating additional income in two sectors of the Georgian economy, such as mining tourism and organic agriculture.
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