Strategic Objective 3: Establish a workforce development and education program for mountain tourism professionals
SI 3.1
Open an Adventure Tourism School
Branch in Mestia
Municipality
3.1.1
Manage grant funding from USAID/industry led skills program, contributor GESP, RDA
Mestia
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
Funds secured
Estimate Timeline
2 years
Municipality
3.1.2
Complete design and construct building "West Point"
Mestia
Responsible Party
GMGA/ATS
Estimated Budget
Funds secured
Estimate Timeline
2 years
Municipality
3.1.3
Create the Adventure Skills Pathway: ATS West Point's Professional Education Framework
Mestia
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
Funds secured
Estimate Timeline
2 years
Municipality
3.1.4
Replicate adventure tourism programs in West Georgia
Mestia, Lentekhi
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
1 million EUR
Estimate Timeline
4 years
Results
Certified adventure guides meeting international standards and making the destination competitive in the adventure tourism market. Successful career-building in adventure tourism for youth from all over Svaneti - 25% p/an.
SI 3.2
Future Guides Summer Schools and Adventure Tourism Leader Program
Municipality
3.2.1
Develop a formal program “Adventure Tourism Leader” to Middle and High School pupils.
Mestia, Lentekhi
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
350,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
5 years
Results
Approximately 250 pupils per year trained in winter/summer in mountain sports and basics of guiding. In total up to 1000 middle and high school pupils trained over 5 years
SI 3.3
International accreditation of qualified trainers in adventure tourism education
Municipality
3.3.1
Mountain Guide Program accredited by IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations)
Mestia
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
50,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
2 years
Municipality
3.3.2
Trekking Guide Program accredited by UMILA (International Union of Mountain Leaders)
Mestia
Responsible Party
GMGA/ATS West Point/Skills Agency
Estimated Budget
30,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
2 years
Results
Up to 15 Mountain Guide Course Students graduate ATS and receive IFMGA accreditation, up to 25 Trekking Guide Course Graduate ATS and receive UIMLA accreditation.
SI 3.4
Establish a Multi-Source Financing Mechanism for Adventure Guide Training
Municipality
3.4.1
Develop public-private cooperation mechanisms to generate funds from public, private and donor resources and enure stability of financing youth eduction from grassroots training to graduation of TVET courses
Mestia, Lentekhi
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
No cost
Estimate Timeline
2 years
Results
Financing mechanisms of adventure tourism workforce training diversified and stabilized, industry involvement ensured
SI 3.5
Promote Mountain Guiding Professions through Guide Offices and Enhanced Services
Municipality
3.5.1
Open an Adventure Guide's portal to select and book certified adventure guides
Mestia, Lentekhi
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
Funds secured
Estimate Timeline
Ongoing
Results
Promotion of certified guides. Increasing attractiveness and trust to the adventure tourism in Georgia.
SI 3.6
Enhance Safety and Risk Management in Mountain Operations
Municipality
3.6.1
Develop a training course focusing on Safety and Risk Management
Mestia, Lentekhi
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
30,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
1- 5 years
Municipality
3.6.2
Initiate a safety awareness-raising campaign targeting key stakeholders
Mestia, Lentekhi
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
15,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
1- 5 years
Municipality
3.6.3
Establish an Adventure Tourism Forum
Mestia
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
125,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
5 years
Results
Overall safety level of the adventure tourism industry increased, image of Svaneti as safe adventure tourism destination established, Mestia's position as a center of adventure tourism strengthened
SI 3.7
Support Skills Development for Local Hospitality and Transport Businesses
Municipality
3.7.1
Assess of the skills gap among local hospitality providers
Mestia, Lentekhi
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
TBD
Estimate Timeline
1 year
Municipality
3.7.2
Tailor training programs to the needs of the hospitality providers and
Mestia / Lentekhi
Responsible Party
College Tetnuldi/Skills
Estimated Budget
60,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
2 years
Municipality
3.7.3
Offer language and interpretation courses for overland tour drivers
Mestia / Lentekhi
Responsible Party
College Tetnuldi/Skills Agency
Estimated Budget
30,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
2 years
Municipality
3.7.4
Develop authenticity-supporting vocational training program - Mountain Host and train young men and women from remote villages of Svaneti
Mestia / Lentekhi
Responsible Party
GMGA/ATS West Point/College Tetnuldi/DMO, Skills Agency
Estimated Budget
60,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
3 years
Municipality
3.7.5
Institutionalize and formalize existing spontaneous knowledge in the field of cultural heritage via developing new TVET program - Regional Cultural Guide
Mestia /
Responsible Party
College Tetnuldi/DMO, Skills Agency
Estimated Budget
60,000 EUR
Estimate Timeline
4 years
Results
Up to 300 hospitality providers, overland operators/drivers, Mountain Hosts and Regional Cultural Guides trained, overall quality of service increased
SI 3.8
Enhancing Destination and Trails Management
Municipality
3.8.1
Design mechanisms to ensure a proper maintenance of the destination places and trails
Mestia, Lentekhi
Responsible Party
Estimated Budget
TBD
Estimate Timeline
1-5 years
Results
Long-term sustainable development and economic growth.