UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2010 via Travel Daily News

Over time, an ever increasing number of destinations have opened up and invested in tourism development, turning modern tourism into a key driver of socio-economic progress through the creation of jobs and enterprises, infrastructure development and the export revenues earned.
As an internationally traded service, inbound tourism has become one of the world’s major trade categories. The overall export income generated by inbound tourism, including passenger transport, exceeded US$ 1 trillion in 2010, or close to US$ 3 billion a day. Tourism exports account for as much as 30% of the world’s exports of commercial services and 6% of overall exports of goods and services. Globally, as an export category, tourism ranks fourth after fuels, chemicals and automotive products. For many developing countries it is one of the main sources of foreign exchange income and the number one export category, creating much needed employment and opportunities for development.
The most comprehensive way to measure the economic importance of both inbound and domestic tourism in national economies is through the 2008 Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) Recommended Methodological Framework, approved by the UN Statistics Commission. Though many countries have taken steps towards the implementation of a TSA, relatively few have full, comparable results available. The knowledge and experience gained through the TSA exercise has certainly contributed to a much better understanding of the role of tourism in economies worldwide and allows for a tentative approximation of key indicators.
Based on the currently still fragmented information from countries with data available, tourism’s contribution to worldwide gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at some 5%. Tourism’s contribution to employment tends to be slightly higher and is estimated in the order of 6-7% of the overall number of jobs worldwide (direct and indirect). For advanced, diversified economies, the contribution of tourism to GDP ranges from approximately 2% for countries where tourism is a comparatively small sector, to over 10% for countries where tourism is an important pillar of the economy. For small islands and developing countries, or specific regional and local destinations where tourism is a key economic sector, the importance of tourism tends to be even higher.

Key trends 2010:
- Worldwide, international tourism rebounded strongly, with international tourist arrivals up 6.6% over 2009, to 940 million.
- The increase more than offset the decline caused by the economic downturn, with an additional 23 million arrivals over the former peak year of 2008.
- In 2010, international tourism receipts are estimated to have reached US$ 919 billion worldwide (693 billion euros), up from US$ 851 billion (610 billion euros) in 2009, corresponding to an increase in real terms of 4.7%.
- As a reflection of the economic conditions, recovery was particularly strong in emerging economies, where arrivals grew faster (+8%) than in advanced ones (+5%).
Current developments and outlook:
- According to the April 2011 Interim Update of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, International tourist arrivals grew by close to 5% during the first two months of 2011, consolidating the rebound registered in 2010.
- According to the forecast prepared by UNWTO at the beginning of the year, international tourist arrivals are projected to increase in 2011 by 4% to 5%. The impact of developments in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March, are not expected to substantially affect this overall forecast.
Long-term trend:
- Over the past six decades, tourism has experienced continued expansion and diversification becoming one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Many new destinations have emerged alongside the traditional ones of Europe and North America.
- In spite of occasional shocks, international tourist arrivals have shown virtually uninterrupted growth: from 25 million in 1950, to 277 million in 1980, to 435 million in 1990, to 675 million in 2000, and the current 940 million.
- As growth has been particularly fast in the world’s emerging regions, the share in international tourist arrivals received by emerging and developing economies has steadily risen, from 31% in 1990 to 47% in 2010.

 In 2010, world tourism recovered more strongly than expected from the shock it suffered in late 2008 and 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis and economic recession. Worldwide, international tourist arrivals reached 940 million in 2010, up 6.6% over the previous year. The vast majority of destinations reported positive and often double-digit increases, sufficient to offset losses or bring them close to this target. Recovery came at different speeds – much faster in most emerging economies (+8%) and slower in most advanced ones (+5%).

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Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

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Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is the second largest church building in the country, after the recently consecrated Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral, and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other historical monuments of historical town Mtskheta. It's located 20 km northwest of the nation's capital of Tbilisi.

The patriarchal Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of the most important 11th century monuments. For centuries it was the religious centre of Christian Georgia. As early as the 4th century, the converted King Mirian built the first Church here on St Nino’s advice. The foundation traces of this Church were revealed during the restoration work at Svetitskhoveli in 1970-1971. The restoration also revealed the ground plan of the basilica, built here in the second half of the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali, after the falling apart of St Nino’s wooden Church. In the 11th century the damaged basilica was replaced with a new cathedral built by Melchisedec, Catholicos of Kartli, who had invited architect Arsukisdze for this purpose. The construction started in 1010 and was over by 1029. 

Svetitskhoveli, known as the burial site of Christ's mantle, has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. According to Georgian hagiography, in the 1st century AD a Georgian Jew from Mtskheta named Elias was in Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified. Elias bought Jesus’ robe from a Roman soldier at Golgotha and brought it back to Georgia. Returning to his native city, he was met by his sister Sidonia who upon touching the robe immediately died from the emotions engendered by the sacred object. The robe could not be removed from her grasp, so she was buried with it. The place where Sidonia is buried with Christ's robe is preserved in the Cathedral.  On the south side there is a small stone church built into the Cathedral. This is a symbolic copy of the Chapel of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Built between the end of the 13th and the beginning the 14th centuries, it was erected here to mark Svetitskhoveli as the second most sacred place in the world (after the church of Jerusalem), thanks to Christ’s robe. In front of this stone chapel, the most westerly structure aligned with the columns between the aisle and the nave marks Sidonia’s grave.

The Cathedral presently functions as the seat of the archbishop of Mtskheta, Tbilisi and all Abkhazia who is at the same time Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

Davidgareja - one of the most remarkable religious and cultural centres of Georgia

Davidgareja, one of the most remarkable religious and cultural centres of feudal Georgia, is a cave monastic complex, situated in a rocky mountainous terrain in the historical region of Gareja, 60-70km south-east of Tbilisi. The Monastery was founded in the first half of the 6th century by David Garejeli, one of the Assyrian Fathers. The Holy Father came to the Gareja wilderness with his disciple Lukiane and took up his abode in a small, natural cave, thus laying the foundation to a monastery which, in later centuries, came to be known as St David’s Lavra. St David’s Lavra was the centre of the monastic life in gareja. In the course of time it was joined by new monasteries whose number, at a certain time, reached twelve. The appelation "The Twelve Gareja Monasteries" must have come down from that time.

The activity of the David Gareja Monasteries was an important part of the religious, as well as, cultural life of the Georgian people. In the early 12th century King David IV, the Builder, made the monasteries royal property, freed them from taxes, and facilitated their advancement. In 1265 Davidgareja and its environs were sacked and ravaged by the Mongol hordes led by Berka Khan. In the first half of the 14th century, during the reign of King Giorgi the Illustrious, Davidgareja yielded a potent political and economic power. The helmsmen of the monasteries were members of the Royal Council, and took part in the government of the Georgian Church. The monastic life was disrupted at Davidgareja by numerous invasions of Tamerlane at the close of the 14th century. In 1424 King Alexander 1, the Great, donated Davidgareja to the Patriarchal Church of Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta. 

 

After the ravage wrought by the Persians during the  invasion of 1616-1617 the Monasteries ceased to exist. In 1629 King Teimuraz I revived the monastic life here. In the 18th century Davidgareja came under direct royal protection again. It owned extensive estates and villages, the peasants living in them were considered monastic serfs. The monastic life at Davidgareja did not stop till the close of the 19th century. The monastic construction at Davidgareja reached its peak during the cultural, political, and economic upswing in Georgia, in late 12th and early 13th centuries. Davidgareja developed its own way of life, style of construction, and school of mural painting.

 

The appearance of the Davidgareja monasteries of this epoch was totally different from the monastic style of the previous centuries. The former simplicity and spontaneity of the main Churches and refectories gave way to magnificence and grandour, to a tendency towards more free space. The murals on the walls of these Churches, and common refectories intensified the impression. The importance of the Davidgareja murals is heightened by the numerous portraits of the contributors, including the portraits of the Georgian royalty: Queen Tamar and her son Giorgi Lasha (the Bertubani Church). The size of the donors’ portraits is much larger than that of the religious personages, which demonstrates the freedom of the Georgian master from the rules set by the Byzantine art. The frescos of the Bertubani refectory are remarkable for the solemn and magestic impression they create. The frescos in the main Udabno Church depict episodes from David Garejeli’s life. The frescos in the apse of Udabno’s Ascension Church are equally interesting with the vital ity and expressiveness of their characters.In late feudal times the monastic complexes communicated by means of watch and signal towers, which came down to us in ruins. Some of the 17th and 18th century caves present a certain interest for their plaster embellishments. Davidgareja was an influential cultural and enlightenment centre. Prominent men of letters were engaged in scholarly work here at various times.

Alaverdi - Georgian Orthodox Cathedral in Kakheti, Georgia

Traveling on Holidays to Georgia you have to see one of the main attractions of Georgia - Alaverdi Monastery in Kakheti.

Alaverdi Monastery (Georgian: ალავერდი) is one of the biggest and most beautiful Georgian Orthodox monastery located 20 km from Telavi, in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia. Parts of the monastery date back to 6th century. The present day cathedral dates to the 11th century. Till now it’s a source of great pride and love for the local people.
The monastery was founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph (Yoseb, Amba) Alaverdeli, who came from Antioch and settled in Alaverdi. Later in 11th century the Kakhetian King Kvirike built the great Alaverdi Cathedral at the site of St George’s small Church. The cathedral has been damaged several times during invasions, and by earthquakes, especially in the 15th and 18th centuries.
At a height of over 55 meters, Alaverdi Cathedral is the second tallest Church in Georgia, after the recently consecrated Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral.

Gudauri, One of the Most Beautiful Ski Resort in Georgia

Gudauri is a ski resort located on the southern slopes of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. The resort is situated in the Stepantsminda District, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Cross Pass, at an elevation of 2,196 meters (7,200ft.) above sea level. Gudauri lies 120 km (75 miles) to the north of the capital Tbilisi. The trip from Tbilisi to Gudauri usually takes two hours by car. The resort offers high quality skiing opportunities. The slopes of Gudauri are completely above the tree line and are best for free-riders and are generally considered to be avalanche-safe. The ski season lasts from December to April. Heliskiing is also available throughout the season.

Heliskiing is one of Gudauri's most distinctive offerings and it provides skiers with access to some of the finest powder-snow in the Caucasus. With helicopters granted almost unrestricted access to local mountains, skiers can experience some of the most sublime runs in Europe - at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,200 meters above sea level. The helicopters drop clients off on mountain tops, glaciers, fabulous ridges - and in the hands of highly experienced guides.




Gudauri contains several routes and lifts. The first, lower lift station is at 1,990m above seal level and the last, top station is at 3,306m, called Sadzele. The lifts are by Doppelmayr.

The first lift is 1,010 m long (three chairs), the second – 2,310 m long (four chairs) and the third – 1,060 m long (three chairs). The lift usually works from 10 to 16-17.