New Black Sea resort Anaklia opens

The much talked of Anaklia resort in the Black Sea coast was ceremonially opened on Monday. Having received the status of “a resort city” Anaklia attracted the attention of visitors with its renewed infrastructure. A new 5 kilometer-long boulevard planned by a Spanish Architect together with sport facilities, a cinema, bicycle lanes and a high quality beach are all features of the new resort. “The status of a city makes Anaklia more attractive and mobile. The number of new features all around the city has given Anaklia the image of an excellent touristic centre,” stated Zaza Gorozia Governor of Samegrelo – Zemo Svaneti.

The new city hosted various celebrations and sport competitions during the whole day. Those who ride bicycles had a wonderful opportunity to see the sights of Anaklia and enjoy riding across the boulevard. Kristine Khvitia, a teenage guest couldn’t hide her amazement from the innovated resort. “A few years ago I couldn’t even have imagined that Anaklia could become so beautiful,” she said happily.

The variety of sport squares makes it possible for the tourists and visitors to choose their favorite sport and enjoy playing. At a symbolic football match the Georgian “veterans” Rezi Arveladze and Temur Ketsbaia managed Dinamo Tbilisi and Dinamo Sokhumi respectively. The old footballers welcomed the “massive constructions in the country” with a friendly match. “The game between the two legendary teams has a very symbolic importance especially near the borders of Abkhazia,” Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia Lado Vardzelashvili stated.

Leila Meskhi, a Georgian professional female tennis player also held a tennis tournament at the new tennis court in Anaklia. She also agreed with the importance of the game “so close to Abkhazian borders.” The long [540-meter-long] wooden bridge lit with modern lighting connects Anaklia with Ganmukhuri where the amphitheatre for 2 000 spectators hosted a concert of classical music. Tbilisi Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Vakhtang Kakhidze performed amazingly while the young Georgian singers dedicated their songs to Abkhazia which is a few kilometers away from Anaklia-Ganmukhuri. The Managing Director of Rustaveli Theatre Zaal Chikobava who organized the concert welcomed the “great celebrations” in Anaklia.

The new five-star hotel Golden Fleece sponsored by the Bank of Georgia (BOG) offers luxurious services to its visitors. The USD 2 million hotel with 106 standard rooms, together with the VIP and Presidential apartments has been equipped with modern technologies and infrastructure. “This is an additional product for Georgia to attract new waves of tourists and encourage the Georgians to enjoy the renewed infrastructure of Anaklia,” Maia Sidamonidze Chair of the National Tourism agency told the media. Special buses had been arranged for people who wanted to attend the festivities from Tbilisi to Anaklia. The festivities in Anaklia ended with grand fireworks.