Mikheil Saakashvili walked around the center of Mestia and had a conversation with the local citizens. The President promised them that the number of tourists will at least double next year. As he noted, aside from the summer resources, development and accommodation of the winter resort infrastructure is the main interest of tourists.
"Two ropeways will be built this year. The construction of Ushguli and Tetnuldi ropeways will begin next year and will be completed in 2013. Mestia-Ushguli road will also be renewed. All of this ensures in a multifaceted way that the number of tourists will triple or quadruple compared to last year. Most significantly, these projects will contribute to the process of bringing back the people thathave left Svaneti. "- said the President, adding -" In addition, it is important that a new Zugdidi-Mestia road, that we can travel in 1 hour and 45 minutes, will prevent traffic accidents. Many have died while travelling the old road. It will not happen anymore because from now on, we have reflective poles and safety ropes."
The President of Georgia also tasted a traditional Svanetian dish and talked about Svanetian traditions and ancient culture in the center of Mestia.
"I saw the traditional paintings, which decorate the exterior of the new buildings, in the museum of Svaneti for the first time. The museum is currently in the process of restoration and it will become really wonderful and unique at the end of the year. Traditional Svanetian materials will be used while building new houses and they must be painted in a traditional fashion. By the way, when we were building the Piazza in Batumi, I was in Peru, namely in Machu - Pikchu - such a place exists. There is also a city called Kuskoa which is one of the miracles of the world and a staggering number of people travel there from all of the continents. I saw beautiful wooden balconies there, made in the sixteenth century, but then I remembered that the wood working is superior in Svaneti, so I immediately called the local person responsible and told him to stop all constructions, so that we could switch to doing everything with Svanetian wood. Though more expensive, it is worth it. The buildings must be roofed by stones; not by tin plates, like during the Soviet period. Combining painting, stone decorations and the art of wood making, provides us with amazing new architecture in Georgia, which is found nowhere else in the world. By the way, we used such details in Batumi on Europe Square: Svanetian style - on the Europe Square, "- stated Mikheil Saakashvili.