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the development of tourism in any country, region, destination, and, consequently, an
important component of tourism as a system. These are the objects and phenomena of the
natural and cultural environment, which have the most attractiveness (Gerasimenko, 2013).
At their base is a variety of travel products.
Georgia is one of ancient centers of human civilization. There is a burial ground of the oldest
member of the family of human homo erectus. Already in 6 th century BC the first Georgian
state was formed on the shore Black Sea - Kohid (Egrisi) kingdom, and in the 3 rd century BC
in eastern Georgia Kartli (Iberia) kingdom was formed, which united almost all Georgian
lands, including Egrisi. The Great Silk Road was passing through Georgia, along which from
the second millennium BC trade was conducted. Georgia the birthplace of the "Golden
Fleece" and is associated with travel Argonauts. It is also a motherland of Amiran
(Prometeus) and I.Stalin. Georgia is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It has
extended Black Sea coast line (308.3 km), different climatic zones (of the world's seven
climatic zones, there are 6 zones in Georgia), unique nature, mountain landscapes and
valleys, rich flora and fauna, in some regions untouched wild nature, 15 nature reserves
with a total area of 1,688 km (out of which 13 are included into the list of national parks and
protected areas by the International Union for Conservation of Nature), many rivers, lakes
and waterfalls, mountain, seaside, balneology and mud spas, 2400 species of mineral and
thermal waters, more than 10 thousand monuments of archeology, history, architecture
and art, 150 museums, ancient winemaking traditions (Georgia is recognized as the
birthplace of wine) and famous wines (over 250 species), natural and organic products, easy
movement of across the border, and etc. There are lots of Christian shrines on the territory
of Georgia. Churches are in communion: many saints, venerated in Georgia are known in all
Orthodox countries. There are a lot of cathedrals, monasteries, temples, churches and other
historical monuments that are dated 6 th -5 th centuries BC. There are over 350 temples and
churches of only St. George – one of the most revered Christian Saints in Georgia. Christian
churches in Georgia – are unique and are not only treasures of Orthodox culture of Georgia,
but also the treasure of global significance. Historical Monuments of Mtskheta - Jvari Church
(586-604 AC) and the Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli (1010-1029 AC), Bagrat Temple (1003 AC)
in Kutaisi and Gelati Monastery (XII century) near Kutaisi – are listed as UNESCO World
Heritage Sites. Upper Svaneti is also put into the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Preserved by its long isolation, the Upper Svaneti region of the Caucasus is an exceptional
example of mountain scenery with medieval-type villages and tower-houses. The village of
Chazhashi still has more than 200 of these very unusual houses, which were used both as
dwellings and as defence posts against the invaders who plagued the region (Korganashvili,
2011, 2012, 2013).
Alaverdi Cathedral, monastery complex David-Geredzhi, Nikortsminda and Samtavisi
Cathedrals, church Kvetera and others are presented for the preliminary list of UNESCO
World Heritage. Many monasteries and churches have become educational centers of
theology. In the XII century, the great Georgian King David IV founded the Gelati Monastery
(near Kutaisi) and its Academy, which in the Orthodox world has been recognized as the
greatest theological and scientific school. In the VI century, founded a monastery near the
village Ikalto where to worship the relics exhibited by its founder – venerable Zeno
Ikaltiyskiy. As in the Gelati monastery, it had its own academy built in the XII century by
David the Builder, and thus it was one of the cultural centers of Georgia. Famous
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