What is Tourister?
Georgian Tourism Summit, Tourister convenes global and regional leaders shaping the future of tourism. Here are some of the notable brands and companies that have joined us in past editions.
What Tourister has delivered so far
- 30+ Inspiring Speakers
- 6 Engaging Panel Discussions
- 6 Hands-On Workshops
- 300+ Industry Attendees
- 10+ International Experts
- Countless Business Connections
Past Summit Speakers
David Gesto
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Director of Operations, South & East Europe
Jan Klavora
Goodplace
Sustainable Tourism Expert
De Luca Giancarlo
The Data Appeal Company
Partnership & Business Development
Tomotaka Hirabayashi
EY Strategy and Consulting Co.
Partner, Strategic Impact
Ana Chkhaidze
Hampton by Hilton Batumi Center
General Manager
Levan Leshkasheli
Exely
Client Success Manager
Tinatin Goguadze
eConsul
Entrepreneur & Co-Founder
Elene Paatashvili
Adjara Group
Head of Communications and Partnerships
Vika Sharia
ODA DMC Georgia
Founder & CEO / MICE Expert
Vikrant Grover
KAZIN DMC
Director - The Caucasus
Giorgi Bidzinashvili
Invited Professor at Ilia State University
Archaeologist
Natalie Kvachantiradze
Georgian Tourism Association
Chairperson of the GTA
Teona Nemsitsveridze
Georgian Tourism Association
Head of Standards Committee at GTA
Giorgi Megrelidze
Tourist Guide
Founder of Ajara Hiking Club
Tamaz Megrelishvili
Julius Meinl Georgia
Founder and Managing Director
Alexander Narsia
Julius Meinl Georgia
Marketing Manager
Levan Giorgadze
Tbilisi Free Walking Tours
Founder
Irakli Kikoria
Skillcraft Academy
Co-Founder
Meagan Neal
Transcaucasian Trail Association
Executive Director
Ani Bakhturidze
Episode Hotel
Operations manager
Maia Sidamonidze
Welcome to Georgia
Managing Partner
Giorgi Maduashvili
CEO
GLOBALCELL
Nina Jankowska
Imedi L
Director of Marketing and Communications Department
Petre Tsulukidze
Skills Agency Georgia
Public-Private Partnership Development Team Leader
Mako Chikoidze
LANDMARKER GROUP
Business Development Director
Giorgi Melikishvili
Travelfy
Founder & CEO
Vano Vashakmadze
Caucasus Consulting Group
Founding Director
Guram Vashakmadze
Mountain Tourism and Extreme Sports Consultant
Banu BEDEL
TR Ministry of Culture and Tourism (EN)
Chief Auditor
Maia Murachashvili
Hotel Strategy Management Group
Hotelier, Founder and CEO
Giorgi Akhalaia
WANDERO Inc.
Co-founder & CCO
Giorgi Bregadze
Professor
Caucasus University Tourism School
Ketevan Dvali
Chventan
Co-founder, Project Manager
Soso Lokhishvili
Chventan
Co-founder, beekeeper
About Tourister 2025
Tourism Technologies, New Visions, and Connections - Tourister 2025 took place at the Hilton Batumi on November 20 and 21.
The Georgian Tourism Summit once again served as the central hub where all key players in Georgian tourism meet - including the private sector, education, technology, media, and public agencies. This year’s gathering clearly demonstrated that Tourister is not just an event; it is a platform where visions are shaped, collaborations are forged, and conversations begin regarding the future of Georgian tourism.
The two-day program was intensive and practice-oriented, featuring: 33 Speakers from Georgia and abroad, 7 practical workshops, nearly 400 attendees, approx. 200 Business Meetings facilitated by a new AI Matchmaking & Networking platform.
30
Speakers
4
Workshops
4
Panels
400
Attendant
What to expect at Tourister
The summit will focus on 4 main areas:
-
Hotel and MICE Industry
-
Tourism Marketing and Sales
-
Technology and Innovation
- Creation of tourism products and services
The following topics will be discussed:
-
MICE tourism and event organization
-
Data analytics and artificial intelligence
-
Digital management of the tourism experience
-
Optimization of direct sales
-
Tourism marketing
-
Maritime tourism and the blue economy
-
Products based on cultural heritage
-
Regional cooperation and destination management
Who will attend Tourister
Senior-level professionals and decision-makers from across the tourism ecosystem, including:
- Hotels & Aparthotels
- Travel Operators & Agencies
- Airlines & Airports
- Destination Management Organizations (DMOs)
- Gastronomy & Wine Tourism Hotspots
- Rural Tourism Enterprises
- Business Support Organizations (BSOs)
- Academia & Research
- National & Regional Media
Networking & Matchmaking
At Tourister 2025, we’re integrating smart tools that help you network better - before, during, and after the event.
Connect with the Right People
- Pre-schedule 1:1 meetings before the summit
- Explore speaker, sponsor & attendee profiles
Reserve Your Meetings
- Book matchmaking lounge slots via our site
- Choose time, table, and meeting partner
Testimonials
“Tourister provides a unique space where tourism leaders can engage in meaningful conversations and create tangible business outcomes. We’re proud to be part of it.”
Shota Lobzhanidze, CEO, Exely
“Tourister successfully gathers the key stakeholders shaping Georgia’s tourism future. It’s a pleasure to host such impactful conversations at Hilton Batumi.”
Patrick Naughter, GM, Hilton Batumi
Let's Meet at Tourister 2025
NETWORKING PASS
₾ 249
- Access to all main stage sessions
- Entry to workshops
- Welcome kit
- Access to Matchmaking Lounge
- Access to attendee profiles and networking leaderboard
- 1:1 meeting scheduling via digital tool
ALL ACCESS VIP PASS
₾ 349
- Access to all main stage sessions
- Entry to workshops
- Welcome kit
- Access to Matchmaking Lounge
- Access to attendee profiles and networking leaderboard
- 1:1 meeting scheduling via digital tool
- Entry to the Tourister Afterparty
SUPPORT PASS
₾ 990
- Everything in All Access Pass
- Shared onsite stand for supporters to display brochures
Student Pass: 49 GEL
Access to public panels and selected workshops.
Group Pass (4+ attendees): 10% Discount
Ideal for teams from hotels, agencies, DMOs, and educational institutions
For inqueries contact us.
20-21 November, 2025
Hotel Hilton Batumi, Georgia
