Georgia’s National Tourism Administration has received international recognition for its Mziskari project. The initiative won first prize at the 2026 European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) Awards.
Mziskari was recognised in the category “Creative Tourism and Co-Created Cultural Tourism Experiences”. The award highlights Georgia’s approach to connecting gastronomy, local traditions and tourism.
The awards ceremony took place on 24 September 2026 on the Greek island of Skiathos. It was held during the 19th International Conference for Cultural Tourism. The competition received 72 entries from 23 European countries.
What Is the Mziskari Project?
Mziskari is an initiative of the Georgian National Tourism Administration. It brings together family-run hospitality businesses offering authentic gastronomic experiences across Georgia’s regions.
The project aims to strengthen regional identity, improve service quality and diversify tourism experiences. It also helps visitors discover local culture through food, traditions and personal interaction with hosts.
Participating families introduce guests to traditional Georgian cuisine. Their experiences go beyond serving local dishes.
Visitors can take part in agricultural activities and gastronomic masterclasses. They can also learn about local ingredients and traditional cooking methods.
Why Is This Award Important for Georgian Tourism?
Gastronomy is an important part of Georgia’s tourism offering. The country’s regions have distinctive cuisines, local products and culinary traditions.
This diversity gives travellers more reasons to explore destinations beyond the main tourist centres. Regional food can also help visitors understand the culture and identity of the places they visit.
Gastronomic tourism creates opportunities for small businesses as well. Family-run guesthouses, farmers, wineries and local food producers can all benefit from this growing area of tourism.
Service quality and authentic experiences are equally important. Meeting local hosts, discovering regional traditions and participating in food-related activities can encourage visitors to spend more time in a destination.
Georgian Gastronomy as a Tourism Experience
Mziskari’s international success highlights the potential of Georgian gastronomy as a distinctive tourism product.
For travellers, the experience can be about more than tasting a finished dish. Learning how it is prepared, discovering local ingredients and meeting the people who preserve culinary traditions can make a visit more memorable.
Georgia’s regions have considerable potential to develop these experiences further. This requires promoting local products, improving service standards and presenting tourism offers effectively to international visitors.
Gastronomic experiences can also complement other tourism activities. Combining food experiences with wine tourism and agritourism can create more diverse itineraries and encourage visitors to explore different regions.
Explore more on Travel News: Gastronomic tourism in Georgia and our earlier report on Mziskari becoming an ECTN Awards 2026 finalist.
Mziskari’s first-place finish is an important international achievement for Georgian gastronomic tourism. The next step is to build on this recognition and ensure that local hosts and regional businesses benefit from the opportunities it creates.
For further information, visit the European Travel Commission’s announcement of the ECTN Awards 2026 winners.
Travel News – Tourism Partner Media.
