Empowering Women in Rural Tourism Development: A Case Study from Maghraani
In a progressive move towards boosting rural tourism, the community organization "Women's Power for Maghraani" has taken an innovative step forward. Teo Taboridze, the founder of the organization, revealed this initiative during an appearance on the TV show "Business Rustavi 2".
Situated in an area renowned for its captivating natural beauty and rich historical artifacts, Maghraani offers an ideal foundation for the growth of rural tourism. To facilitate easy navigation for visitors, the community has installed an information board within the village. It features a detailed map and helpful hints, enabling guests to explore the area either independently or with a local guide.
Taboridze emphasized the significance of Maghraani's native Kis wine, a product well-known in the region but yet to gain widespread recognition. "Maghraan is a micro-zone of Kis wine production. It's well-known locally but hasn't been promoted extensively," Taboridze stated.
Highlighting the organization's commitment to enhancing hospitality standards in the region, Taboridze mentioned the execution of a community education and retraining program. This initiative is aimed at equipping the local community with the skills necessary to offer top-tier hospitality and guidance to their guests.
Despite being a relatively small organization of about 10 women, "Women's Power for Maghraani" has been making significant strides in rural tourism. Following a grant of 30,000 GEL, the organization embarked on a project to explore potential tourist routes and delve into the area's ancient gastronomy.
To further raise awareness about Maghraani's potential as a tourist destination, a festival is slated to take place in the village at the end of June. This event is expected to draw attention to the village's unique offerings and hopefully attract a larger influx of visitors.
Through their initiatives, "Women's Power for Maghraani" aims to transform the rural tourism landscape, promoting sustainable growth and prosperity for their local community.