Svaneti is becoming the calling card of Georgia

New facilities have been officially opened in Mestia: the Public Service Hall, a modern new police building, a hostel-type hotel, a new bridge, and a 136-kilometer road were inaugurated in a solemn ceremony.

The opening ceremony in Mestia was attended by the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili; Minister of Justice, Zurab Adeishvili; Minister of Economy, Vera Kobalia; Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Ramaz Nikolaishvili; representatives of the legislative, executive, and judicial authorities; the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia; as well as representatives of international organizations and the media.

Mikheil Saakashvili opened the new facilities and addressed the local population. According to the country's leader, the development of Svaneti will serve as the foundation for creating the highest number of jobs and generating the most income in the region in the near future.

As a result of the 2015 modernization plan, at least half a million tourists will visit Svaneti, and the region will be bustling with tourists at any time of the year, which will provide additional income for the local population.
Hopelessness and poverty will come to an end in Svaneti, – stated the President.

Mikheil Saakashvili also visited the newly opened hostel-type hotel. The hotel can accommodate 46 guests simultaneously. The conditions and prices are affordable for tourists, with a one-night stay costing 20 GEL. Guests will be able to rest in a comfortable and peaceful environment. Mikheil Saakashvili opened a Rose Revolution corner in the guest house.

A new 136-kilometer highway was also built in Mestia. A cement-concrete pavement has been laid, which will not be damaged for several decades.

Travel time from Zugdidi to Mestia has been reduced from 8 hours to 2 hours. Two tunnels were also built. The motor vehicle tunnels are modern in style, and protective barriers and road signs have been installed along the highway. The works lasted for two years, employing 1,500 people, including local residents. The country's leader also drove along the new road himself.

The President of Georgia also opened the Mestia Public Service Hall.  The House of Marriages, the National Bureau of Enforcement, the notary office, the Civil and Public Registry, and the Training Center of Justice – everything in Mestia has been brought together in a single space.

Focused on serving the population and adapted to the environment, the transparent building of the Public Service Hall was designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer. The structure takes the form of a mountain and fits into the unified architectural style of Svaneti. Jürgen Mayer is also the author of the design for the Queen Tamar Airport in Mestia. The Mestia Public Service Hall is the first to open in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, and this location was chosen considering the region's tourist potential. 

Following the opening of the facilities, the President spoke with the local residents and tasted traditional Svan dishes in the open air. Afterward, festive events took place in Mestia in the evening. The youth of Mestia attended a concert by the band "Mgzavrebi." Various sporting competitions were also held. The evening concluded with a grandiose fireworks display.