The largest concert hall in Georgia, Black Sea Arena, with the capacity of up to 10 000 people, has been functioning since 2016.

Black Sea Arena stands out not only for its capacity but is also equipped with special equipment and lighting systems that provide the possibility to hold grand shows. Numerous famous artists visit the concert hall every year. Thus, the number of people attending concerts is also high.

A venue of such importance is located in the resort of Shekvetili, Ozurgeti municipality. Shekvetili wasn’t unknown to the public before Black Sea Arena either. Locals and businessmen operating in the area were expecting many problems that the local population was concerned about to be solved after the concert hall was opened, however – in vain!

The settlement located right in front of the Black Sea Arena has a huge tourist potential but also a large number of problems.

The local population mentioned in conversation with Travelingeorgia that the resort has neither a road, nor street illumination, nor drinkable water, nor sewage, which creates inconvenience for the guests as well.

“Those who have private hotels, repaired small sections of roads with their own funds. We usually repair the road with our funds as well. If a guest is coming down, we try to provide conditions, so that at least they don’t damage their car”.

“We’ve been experiencing these problems for years, however our conditions do not change for the better. There are promises but to no avail”, state residents of Shekvetili.

Shekvetili is an outstanding place on the Black Sea coast for its seaside, nature, and sea. Tourists are interested in it, however, as the hotel owners tell us, it is difficult for guests to get accustomed to such conditions.

“Guests who have been visiting for years, say they won’t come again, they’re tired of such conditions. There is a decline in the number of visitors. The seaside is not in order either. This place really has a huge potential, not many countries and resorts have such clean water and magnetic, medicinal sand”.

“Recently, blackouts joined the list of problems. We don’t have electricity so often that tourists think this is a general problem in Georgia”, say private hotel owners.

Strange as it may seem, there are no streets in Shekvetili settlements, it is impossible to find a specific hotel or house without help. Correspondingly, tourists often can’t reach their destination on time. Besides, Shekvetili residents say that it is difficult to explain to ambulance where they should go to pick up their patients.

“When we call for the ambulance, someone’s waiting outside in order to show the house. We also have to explain that when they pass this huge puddle, they need to turn there. All these explanations take away time which could be vital for the patient”, state the locals.

Rainy weather is especially problematic in Shekvetili. River Natanebi grows larger and brings garbage to the settlement. Local population asks for filters to be installed or any other measures to be taken.

Having learned about the problems of the Shekvetili population, Travelingeorgia addressed the city hall and governor’s office of Ozurgeti municipality.

We asked them why these problems remain unsolved for many years and what measures are planned to improve the situation.

We received an answer that last year a concrete road of 830 meters was constructed on the territory adjacent to the Black Sea Arena, street illumination system was installed, and sidewalks repaired. As to the other sector that we had in mind, the second stage of works has been developed and project documentation is in process of preparation. Road rehabilitation is planned after the end of the tourist season.

As to the water supply, its rehabilitation is conducted by the United Water Supply company under the financing of the Asia Bank, and should be completed by this autumn.

Based on the requests from the population, on June 5, at the meeting of the governor’s office, the mentioned section of the road was named after Mikheil Chanukvadze. A corresponding order was issued.

As summer season is vitally important for sea resorts, problems should be settled before the season starts, not after it ends, to make sure that the population and businesses get more benefit from tourism. However we hope that this is going to be the last summer when Shekvetili suffers from so many problems!