Tsitsino Davituliani
Doctor of Geography, Associate Professor, Akaki Tsereteli State University, Central University of Europe
Tsitsino.daviduliani@atsu.edu.ge
Fikria Jinjikhadze
Doctor of Geography, Assistant Professor, Akaki Tsereteli State University, Central University of Europe
Pikria.jinjikhadze@atsu.edu.ge
Abstract
Tea culture became established in Georgia in the second half of the 19th century and soon turned into an important component of the country’s economic and cultural life. The Imereti region, with its natural and geographical conditions, developed into one of the leading zones. Particularly interesting is the case of Tkibuli, where tea became not only part of agricultural production but also a form of organizing social life.
Today, as the region shifts from an economy dependent on heavy industry toward a more diversified model of development, the revival of tea culture emerges both as a necessity for preserving historical heritage and as an opportunity for developing new directions in tourism. The aim of this study is to analyze the historical-geographical foundations, economic significance, and tourism potential of Tkibuli’s “Tea Route.”In the last century, Georgia ranked fourth in the world in tea production, behind only China, India, and Sri Lanka. In 2016, foreign investors appeared, and Georgian tea producers began thinking about restoring the old reputation, which led to the launch of the Georgian Tea Rehabilitation Program.
In recent years, efforts to reintroduce tea cultivation have begun at the farming level. The Tkibuli zone is particularly noteworthy because it offers the potential for cultivating organic and high-quality tea, as its mountainous terrain and climate are ideal for elite varieties. The revival of the “Tea Route” in Tkibuli could become one of Imereti’s key strategic projects, transforming the legacy of the past into new economic and cultural opportunities.
Keywords: Tea Route, Tkibuli, Tourism, Organic and High-Quality Tea.
JEL: N55; Q13; Z32
DOI: 10.52244/c2025.45
The article is in Georgian.
References
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