{"id":35997,"date":"2026-01-07T13:03:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T09:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cue.edu.ge\/?post_type=articles&p=35997"},"modified":"2026-01-07T13:04:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T09:04:43","slug":"the-revival-of-the-tea-route-in-tkibuli-historical-economic-heritage-and-prospects-for-tourism-development","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/cue.edu.ge\/en\/articles\/the-revival-of-the-tea-route-in-tkibuli-historical-economic-heritage-and-prospects-for-tourism-development\/","title":{"rendered":"The Revival of the Tea Route in Tkibuli: Historical-Economic Heritage and Prospects for Tourism Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tsitsino Davituliani <\/strong><\/p>\n

Doctor of Geography, Associate Professor, Akaki Tsereteli State University, Central University of Europe<\/p>\n

Tsitsino.daviduliani@atsu.edu.ge<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fikria Jinjikhadze <\/strong><\/p>\n

Doctor of Geography, Assistant Professor, Akaki Tsereteli State University, Central University of Europe<\/p>\n

Pikria.jinjikhadze@atsu.edu.ge<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tea culture became established in Georgia in the second half of the 19th century and soon turned into an important component of the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s \u201cTea Route.\u201dIn 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.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cTea Route\u201d in Tkibuli could become one of Imereti\u2019s key strategic projects, transforming the legacy of the past into new economic and cultural opportunities.<\/p>\n

Keywords<\/strong>:\u00a0 Tea Route, Tkibuli, Tourism, Organic and High-Quality Tea.<\/p>\n

JEL:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0N55; Q13; Z32<\/p>\n

DOI: <\/strong>10.52244\/c2025.45<\/p>\n

The article is in Georgian.<\/strong><\/p>\n

References<\/strong><\/p>\n

Appellations of Origin registered in Georgia https:\/\/www.sakpatenti.gov.ge\/ka\/state_registry\/<\/a> (Last Access 12.09.25)<\/p>\n

Eradze E. \u00a0(2018) \u2013 New life for mountain tea. https:\/\/kvirispalitra.ge\/article\/46286-mthis-chais-akhali-sicockhle\/<\/a>\u00a0 (Last Access 10.09.25)<\/p>\n

Gigilashvili N. (2025) \u2013 Tea producer \u201cBueti\u201d has suspended export activities \u2013 what are the company\u2019s development plans? https:\/\/bm.ge\/news\/chais-mtsarmoebelma-buetim-saeqsporto-aqtivobebi-sheachera-rogoria-kompaniis-ganvitarebis-gegmebi<\/a> (Last Access 15.09.25)<\/p>\n

Khidureli S. (2023) \u2013 The geographical indication “Tkibuli Mountain Tea” is registered with Sakpatenti. \u2013 https:\/\/bm.ge\/news\/chveni-upiratesoba-tyibulis-plantaciebis-unikaluri-adgilmdebareobaa—quotbuetisquot-chai\/126551<\/a> \u00a0(Last Access 15.09.25)<\/p>\n

National Statistics Office of Georgia – https:\/\/www.geostat.ge\/ka\/modules\/categories\/93\/regionuli-statistika<\/a> (Last Access 17.09.25)<\/p>\n

The geographical indication “Tkibuli Mountain Tea” is registered with Sakpatenti. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/100068379828098\/posts\/1972642322885952\/<\/a> (Last Access 12.09.25)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"gonisdziebebi":[103],"class_list":["post-35997","articles","type-articles","status-publish","hentry","gonisdziebebi-2025-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cue.edu.ge\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/35997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cue.edu.ge\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cue.edu.ge\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/articles"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cue.edu.ge\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"gonisdziebebi","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cue.edu.ge\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gonisdziebebi?post=35997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}