Liana Kartvelishvili

An important problem of modernity is the protection of the environment from negative anthropogenic

activities and the rational use of natural resources. Its due to the fact that in today's conditions, both ecologically

and materially, it is impossible to make the right decisions without taking into account environmental

condition.

At the same time there are some of the main factors of natural resources and environmental degradation: 1.Degradation of the main components of the biosphere, which causes a decrease in biodiversity and a decrease in selfregulation;

2. Climate change;

3. Growth of environmental damage caused by natural disasters.

This article discusses the impact of climate and its changes on the development of the tourism sector in

Georgia. To evaluate tourism-recreational resources in Georgia for the first time several the Tourism Climatic

Indexes were used, based on the combination of different meteorological elements (air temperature,

atmospheric precipitation, relative humidity, average duration of sunshine).

On the basis of the obtained data, correct decisions should be made when designing tours in different

climatic zones against negative climatic events.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has organized a number of events to support tourism. It

provides World Tourism Organization (WTO) members with early warnings about natural disasters, glacier

recession, water resources and climate change. WTO closely cooperates with WMO. Forecasts of climate and

extreme hydro meteorological events provided by the National Hydro meteorological Services are particularly

important in today's world, as regional climate variations have emerged in the wake of global climate change.

Keywords: Climate change, Tourism Climatic Index, World Tourism Organization (WTO). Natural

resources, Tourism industry.

Abstract

Modern global climate changes have led to a number of transformations in the tourism industry. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO) made a joint decision to consider climate changes in the assessment of tourism-recreational resources. All countries that are members of the WTO and WMO are obliged to take into account regional climatic variations when evaluating tourism-recreational resources.

Georgia is a full member of both of these organizations since the 90s of the last century, which makes it necessary to evaluate its tourism and recreation resources in the light of climate change.

In connection with the mentioned challenges, a number of complex indices of different complexity have been developed. The presented paper discusses the regularities of distribution of one of them in the territory of Georgia.

Key words: Tourism-recreational resources, Climate index, Sustainable development, Resort industry 

Modern global climate changes have led to a number of transformations in the tourism industry. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO) made a joint decision to consider climate changes in the assessment of tourism-recreational resources. All those countries that are members of the IMO and IMO are obliged to take into account regional climatic variations when evaluating tourism-recreational resources.

Georgia is a full member of both of these organizations since the 90s of the last century, which leads to its

the need to evaluate touristic and recreational resources.

In connection with the mentioned challenges, a number of complex indices of different complexity have been developed. It is discussed in the presented paper

Laws of distribution of one of them in the territory of Georgia.

Protection of the environment from negative anthropogenic impacts and rational use of natural resources is an important problem of modern times. Such raising of the issue is due to the fact that in today's conditions, both from the ecological and material point of view, it is impossible to make the right decisions without considering the environmental conditions. Climate is one of the important components of the environment. Climate is both a natural and socio-economic factor. It is especially important to study the effects of the climate for those sectors of the economy that are vulnerable to it (such as tourism, construction, healthcare).

Our country has been actively involved in the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change since 1996.

 Studies on climate change are reflected in ongoing national communications to the Climate Change Convention.   Among key components of natural enviromental potential   are climate resources

Climate indexes are used for the assessment of environmental and recreation resources. Complex Tourism Climate  Index  was  accepted by World Meteorological Organization.

 The climate indexes represent complex of different weather elements and well describe combined effect of their values. ecreational degradation of natural areas has    determined the need to implement measures to protect the natural environment. Introduction of technologies of ecological management of recreational use of nature are vital. It became clear that the barbaric use of natural    areas, as a rule, causes loss of the attractiveness of   these territories and is depleting.

The high mountain alpinism and ski sport tourism zone holds an important place among these zones and includes famous peaks such as Shkhara, Ushba, Shkhelda, Tetnuldi, Laila, etc. An abundance of glaciers and peaks in Upper Svaneti that are difficult to access attracts many tourists from different countries. The fourth zone, recognized as the historical reservation is no less popular. It includes Europe's highest mountain settlement Ushguli with its communities, namely: Jibiani, Chajashi and others. The resort zone located at the terraces of the Enguri Gorge and mountain slopes, includes the settlements with the rich historical past (Mestia, Lemsia, Ushkhvanari, Svifi, Tkvebishi, Lakhamula, etc.), as well as the resort areas of unique beauty that are covered with forests. 

Climate change and the use of materials are closely linked. Circle Economy estimates that 62% of global greenhouse gas emissions (excluding emissions from land use and forestry) are emitted during the extraction, processing and production of goods for the needs of society; only 38% is emitted during the delivery and use of products and services. UN Climate Change News, January 27, 2021 - A new report by Leading International Science presented to the UN reveals 10 important views on climate over the past year that will help take collective action on the current climate crisis and build momentum for successful development.

The high mountain alpinism and ski sport tourism zone holds an important place among these zones and includes famous peaks such as Shkhara, Ushba, Shkhelda, Tetnuldi, Laila, etc. An abundance of glaciers and peaks in Upper Svaneti that are difficult to access attracts many tourists from different countries. The fourth zone, recognized as the historical reservation is no less popular. It includes Europe's highest mountain settlement Ushguli with its communities, namely: Jibiani, Chajashi and others. The resort zone located at the terraces of the Enguri Gorge and mountain slopes, includes the settlements with the rich historical past (Mestia, Lemsia, Ushkhvanari, Svifi, Tkvebishi, Lakhamula, etc.), as well as the resort areas of unique beauty that are covered with forests. 

Identification of building-climatic norms and rules may be estimated as the project of important social-economical and financial effects. The problem urgency is preconditioned by the fact that the renewal of legal guidelines base has been taken place in Georgia. By joined action of Georgian government, UNDP (United Nations Development Program), also national and international funds the revision and adjustment with existed legislation of current technical norms and rules is conducting. According existing legislation the above mentioned standards and norms that acted in former USSR have no legal power, and the Georgian analogs don’t exist in many cases. Hence the vacuum has been formed and the preparation of science based acts is necessary - for the creation of new guidelines base and provision of its adaptation with national legislation.

Thus in Georgia the elaboration of new building climatic norms and rules is necessary because in real situation practically the building-climatic norms established according building norms and rules elaborated in Soviet period have been used, that is the reason of unbiased decisions and is connected with significant negative economic effect. 

Nowadays, sustainable development of tourism through ecotourism is a major concern worldwide.

 Many countries have concept of ecotourism in the Regional Development Plan. Ecotourism is now an important part of the economy of many countries.

 This century is characterized by the demand for ecotourism To understand the causes of ecological crisis, let us consider the interaction between society and nature.

Humanity can not exist without the use of natural resources and changes in the natural environment.

The change that is caused by human activity

 is  called  anthropogenic.

WTO considers that climate forecasts to become extremely important for sustainable development of tourism all over the world. Among key components of tourism recreation potential are climate resources.

 WMO and WTO adopted first resolution on the need for assessment of tourism recreation potential in tourism regions of member countries in 2003.

    Georgia is full member of both organizations (WMO &  WTO)   since 1990, which preconditions the need for the assessment of tourism recreation potential.

Climate indexes are used for the assessment of ecotourism and recreation resources. The climate indexes represent complex of different weather elements and well describe combined effect of their values.

One of such indexes is Complex Climate parameter – TCI

Tourism climate index TCI accepted by WMO was used for assessment of tourist recreational resources- TCI = 8·Cld + 2·Cla + 4·R + 4·S + 2·W

This is due, to the fact that tourism is one of the sector of economy, which depends on the ecology:

Natural environment is very important part of the tourist product

 Tourists are also looking for different destinations         and have a good time.

According to the W T O forecast, ecotourism is included in the main five strategic tourist directions such as (adventure, ecotourism, cognitive tourism, thematic and cruises).

Ecotourism has all forms of general tourism. The main motivation of these tourists is to spend their holidays in an environmentally clean and relatively untouched nature.

Nowadays, sustainable development of tourism through ecotourism is a major concern worldwide.

 Many countries have concept of ecotourism in the Regional Development Plan. Ecotourism is now an important part of the economy of many countries.

 This century is characterized by the demand for ecotourism.

When planning ecotourism it is necessary to consider that; The tour should be planned in a unique location (ecological and cultural point of view).

Ecotourism should ensure conservation of nature and sustainable use of natural resources; Local residents should be able to get additional income.

A large part of the modern tourism is focused on the use of natural tourism resources. These areas of tourism are often called abroad by the name of natural tourism; 

The ecotourism is considered as a real instrument for the realization of the sustainable economic development.

 And always the absence of proper knowledge and practical skills in this field causes dangerous situations. 

Tourism activity can be direct and indirect. Direct activity affects the following:

• destruction of flora and fauna in hunting, fishing processes;

• interference in the natural conditions of plant and animal life;

• dissemination of infectious diseases with human and animal products (organic food waste);

agricultural activities (forest cutting, soil irregularities, etc.);

• Artificial breeding of animals to create animal and plants with genetically modified properties. (genetically modified, mutants).

At the same time, most of the plants and animals are affected by small populations (endemics, relics). 

Direct management options include restriction of the total number of tourists in accordance with

1- the permissible limit on natural complexes,

2- zoning of protected areas and 

3-using technologies for minimizing environmental pollution. 

The permissible limit is anthropo-ecological regulations that violate the sustainability of different levels of geo systems. 

Such a policy is based on compulsion (fines, tariffs, etc.), or demonstrating how we should behaveProtection, tourism industry development

The indirect management option is based on improving the behavior of tourists by increasing the level of education and protection of local herbs and animals;

To achieve high effect, it is advisable to combine these two options.

Eco-tourism management is carried out at international, state, regional and local levels.

Doctoral Thesis Referee

Master Theses Supervisor

Doctoral Thesis Supervisor/Co-supervisor

Scientific editor of monographs in foreign languages

Scientific editor of a monograph in Georgian

Editor-in-Chief of a peer-reviewed or professional journal / proceedings

Review of a scientific professional journal / proceedings

Member of the editorial board of a peer-reviewed scientific or professional journal / proceedings

Participation in a project / grant funded by an international organization

Participation in a project / grant funded from the state budget

Patent authorship

Membership of the Georgian National Academy of Science or Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Membership of an international professional organization

Membership of the Conference Organizing / Program Committee

National Award / Sectoral Award, Order, Medal, etc.

Honorary title

Monograph

Handbook

Research articles in high impact factor and local Scientific Journals

Publication in Scientific Conference Proceedings Indexed in Web of Science and Scopus