Economic Growth

Promoting entrepreneurship within the tourism sector; fostering a dynamic business environment that reduces dependency on seasonal or single-sector tourism and advocates for efficient and responsible supply chain practices.

 2.1.1 Tourism Cluster Business Systems: Set up a business operating system, such as a Google Workspace account for the Tourism Cluster (includes gmail, drive, sites, forms, slides, photos, etc...), with all MOUs, policies, processes, accounting, and operations templates in place. 

2.1.2 Online Booking Capabilities: Set up agreements with member businesses giving approval to offer their products and services digitally, making all destination businesses and tours bookable online and able to accept digital payments. A sales commission fee will cover the costs of hosting and maintaining the Discover Oni website. 

2.1.3 Gather Volume and Demographic Statistics on Guests:  Hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants should collaborate on statistics and data reporting. These figures are important because they can be used to calculate economic impact and provide incredible insight into Cluster business planning. 

2.1.4 Incubation and Business Development Center: Establish a MSME incubation center to provide capacity-building programs, mentorship, and resources to aspiring tourism entrepreneurs. Offer workshops to educate existing businesses on diversifying their offerings, encouraging them to expand beyond traditional services, explore new opportunities within the tourism sector, and how to leverage online and social media promotion. 

2.1.5 Local Supply-Chain Development: Develop a supply chain for local tourism businesses to meet demand for the larger guest houses and hotels during high tourist season by identifying, establishing and linking more local agricultural, farming and food production providers.

2.1.6 Culinary Potential: Research and identify sites within the region for investment, where new restaurants, food production, and cooking masterclasses could thrive.

2.1.7 Agricultural and Agritourism Business Development: Offer specific training on the basics of Agriculture, pest management, and Organic Farming, as well as best practices in agritourism.

2.1.8 Local Product Development: Initiate a program or site to support the making of local products and souvenirs, promoting economic growth through the sale of authentic, handmade goods.

Workforce capacity building and training programs will be integral to enhancing the skills of the local labor force, aligning them with the evolving demands of the tourism industry and preparing them for new job opportunities created through the initiative.

2.2.1 Language Skills: Provide English, German and other language classes to the community.

2.2.2 Technical and Professional Writing Skills: Provide courses and training on grant proposal writing.

2.2.3 Oni Tourism Ambassador and Guide Training Program: This program aims to equip local residents with the information and skills necessary to serve as knowledgeable and welcoming guides for visitors, enhancing the overall tourism experience in the region.

2.2.4 Local Business Internships and Apprenticeships: Implement internships and apprenticeships with local businesses so students from Tbilisi and other larger metro areas can come to learn in the municipality. Establish partnerships with local educational institutions and vocational training institutions for tourism-related courses and cross-collaboration in internship and apprenticeship programs.

2.2.5 Adventure Tourism School in Racha: Expanding the school will engage young people and get them interested in mountain tourism jobs and the community.

Facilitate strategic investments in tourism-related projects, fostering sustainable economic growth that benefits the entire community. 

2.3.1 Private Investors Deck: Develop a strategic investment plan and program. Include a pitch deck or website from a list of property and business owners who are open to outside investors, taking into consideration their parameters (such as only Georgian investors only, or international sustainable brands).

2.3.2 Invest in Local Produce Production: Organic products such as dried fruit and pickles are not grown and processed locally, but they could and should be to promote local economic prosperity, diversify Oni-grown product offerings, and reduce reliance on produce from other communities. 

2.3.3 Tourism Investment Forum & Networking Events: Organize a tourism investment forum and networking events to bring together potential investors, local businesses, and project developers to explore investment opportunities and partnerships.

2.3.4 Provide Incentives for Targeted Investments: Set up incentives to attract investors to specific, targeted projects that are on brand for the Oni tourism vision, culturally authentic and eco-friendly.

2.3.5 Investment Readiness Workshops: Conduct workshops to prepare local businesses and entrepreneurs for attracting and securing investments, covering topics such as business planning, financial modeling, and pitching to investors.