the Georgian appellations of origin system and the wine industry. In Georgia itself, many “wine routes” have emerged, which are popular with tourists.12 The synthesis report based on individual country studies on the state of geographical indications, inter alia, in Georgia provides some suggestions and recommendations regarding stakeholders’ awareness or capacities for using GI schemes – marketing of the products. The role of GIs as a tool for tourism promotion and rural development lies in: including GI products in tourist routes and linking them with local gastronomy offered to local and foreign tourists; promoting GI products through traditional local fairs and exhibitions; strengthening inter-regional and municipal cooperation for rural territorial development; and using GIs for country branding and promotion.13 Indeed, as some authors have argued even years ago, the protection of Geographical Indications originating from Georgia might encourage the development of new initiatives for tourism and the launch of new marketing strategies.14 The Georgian case study offers an interesting example of good practice in the use of geographical indications in the tourism sector. 15 Georgia’s long history of grape cultivation and wine production is reflected by its traditional national drink: Chacha, a strong spirit that is distilled from grapes. In 2005, the Government of Georgia enacted new IP legislation, the Law on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications of Goods (the AOGI Law). This law primarily allows the registration of appellations of origin and geographical indications for wines, spirits, and mineral waters originating in Georgia. Many of the country’s famous wines that make up the grape pomace from which Chacha is made – such as Atenuri, Kakheti and Tvishi – are registered internationally as appellation of origins.16 12 See FAO & oriGIn. 2023. Proceedings of the Third regional consultation on geographical indications in Europe and Central Asia. Budapest, FAO, p. 61, available at <https://doi.org/10.4060/cc6415en>, accessed 20 August 2025. 13 See Fidanyan, M., Gabunia, D., Serkebaeva, C., Vieru, L., Bulatov, D., An Overview of Legal and Institutional Frameworks and Opportunities, Challenges and Recommendations for Geographical Indication Products in Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation: Synthesis Report, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Budapest, 2018, p. 32, available at <https:// www.fao.org/3/ca1002en/CA1002EN.pdf>, accessed 20 August 2025. 14 Cfr. Borroni, A., Juridical Profiles of Wine Market in the European Framework, Journal of Law №1, 2011, p. 276 (in Georgian). 15 See World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) (2021), Boosting Tourism Development through Intellectual Property, Geneva: WIPO, p. 36. 16 See Ibid, p. 62. Efforts to unearth and document traditional Georgian foods and recipes in recent years have revealed several traditions as well. As an example, the government has registered geographical indication protections for 13 endemic varieties of Georgian cheese: World Bank. 2019. Beyond Arrivals: Emerging Opportunities for Georgian Firms in Tourism Value Chains. © World Bank, p. 18, available at <https://hdl. 298 GIORGI AMIRANASHVILI
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTE4NzM5Nw==