Travel Insurance Georgia

Business Practices

Meetings are usually formal in Georgia. Although the official language is Georgian, almost all business executives are fluent in Russian. English is the most widely used after Russian; however, English-language ability is still not widespread among the business community. Most of those involved in international business hire interpreters, who are widely available in Georgia. Offices and organizations in Georgia usually operate on a five- day week. A working day starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. However, because of electricity and transportation problems, the best contact time is from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Government and many business offices generally close at 1:00 or 00 p.m. on the day before major holidays

Crime

Crime is a very serious problem in Georgia. There is a great disparity in affluence between foreigners and a large percentage of Georgians. Visitors, especially from the US, are perceived as being wealthy and are therefore specifically targeted for economic- and property-based crimes. Incidents such as residential break-ins, carjacking, car theft, petty theft, and armed robbery account for at least 75 percent of the reported crimes involving US citizens. Petty street crime, such as pick-pocketing, purse snatching, and cell phone theft, is also common throughout the country. Violent attacks have become more commonplace. Because illegal firearms are readily available in Georgia, assailants are likely to be armed with firearms and other weapons. Crime remains a particularly serious issue in Tbilisi, where criminal activity against foreigners remains at levels disproportionate to other metropolitan areas in Europe and the United States. Many robberies and assaults have occurred in areas frequented by foreigners, such as on side streets near Tbilisi's city center, including areas off the main avenues in the Vake and Vera districts, and Chavchavadze and Rustaveli avenues, as well as the Saburtalo region of Tbilisi. These crimes have often occurred when the victim was alone, after dark, and in unfamiliar surroundings. Petty theft is also a problem on the Tbilisi metro system, in underpasses, and in mini-vans (marshrutkas) used for public transport. Travelers should use personal vehicles or take cars from established taxi companies that will carry passengers door-to-door. While the security of overland travel in Georgia has improved, vehicular and rail traffic remains vulnerable to robbery. The threat of kidnapping exists both within and outside of Tbilisi. In the past, foreign businessmen have been abducted for ransom and US citizens in the Tbilisi area have received kidnapping threats. Outside of Tbilisi, criminal activity is also a problem, especially in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, due to the reduced capacity of law enforcement in those areas. Other regions of concern include: upper Svanetia, Samtskhe-Javakheti, the Abkhaz-Georgian border area (including Zugdidi city), and areas along the Russian-Georgian border. Despite significant progress in the government's efforts to reform police and fight internal corruption, serious concerns remain as to the police's ability to deter criminal activity or conduct effective post-incident investigations. Although police emergency response is good, criminals continue to have freedom of movement throughout Tbilisi day or night. Vary times and routes, especially from places of residence to work locations. Maintain a low profile by not carrying large amounts of cash, not wearing excessive amounts of jewelry, and not behaving in a manner that would draw unnecessary attention. Be aware of surroundings, travel in pairs or groups, and stay on main streets and routes. Travel only during daylight hours and provide a travel itinerary and contact telephone numbers to a friend or business colleague. Those that do become a victim of crime should not resist their assailant and should cooperate with the assailant as best they can.

Hotels

Tbilisi has two luxury hotels with accordingly high prices, one of which also houses the British Embassy. There are also a number of good hotels in Batumi and Kutaisi. The Hotel Tbilisi, built in 1914 and gutted by fire in 1992, has now been renovated and is of international standard. The Austrian-run Metekhi Palace is the most luxurious hotel.

Communications

Limited telephone IDD is available. Country code: 995. Some outgoing calls from Georgia must be made through the operator and long waits are inevitable. It is often possible to secure better service by mentioning that one is a foreigner and offering to pay a special premium rate. It is also now possible to set up an account with the local telecom company that enables visitors to make direct long-distance calls without the operator's assistance. Many businessmen and journalists now use satellite links to overcome the considerable problems of ordinary telephone communication. The Metekhi Palace Hotel is equipped with its own satellite phones.

Electricity

is 110/220 Volts AC 60 Hz. European-type, 2-pin plugs are used. Due to the energy crisis, the supply of electricity can be intermittent between November and March. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-type, two-pin plugs are used. The supply of electricity can be intermittent between November and March, and visitors are advised to bring a torch with them.

Plug Types

C,F

Food And Dining

According to Georgian legend, when God was distributing land among the peoples of the world, the Georgians were so busy eating and drinking that they lost their place in the queue and there was no land left for them. But when they invited God to join the party, he enjoyed himself so immensely he gave them all the choicest bits of land he had been saving for himself. Georgians pride themselves, with some justification, on being the bons viveurs of the former Soviet Union, and their culinary tradition has survived better than most the dead hand of Soviet mass-catering. The cuisine makes extensive use of walnuts, which are used to thicken soups and sauces (anything including the word satsivi will be served in a rich sauce flavored with herbs, garlic, walnuts and egg). Cafes, restaurants and street-food traditions are all better established in Georgia than in many of the other former Soviet republics, and the markets are full of locally grown fruit and vegetables. Privately run restaurants, cafes and bars, which began to thrive during the Gorbachev period, were badly hit by the post-independence breakdown of civil order, but in recent times have begun to bounce back. The future looks bright. Things to know: Over 500 original varieties of grape are grown here, more than any other country. Both red and white wine is produced in Georgia.

National specialties:
? Meals usually start with an array of hot and cold dishes which may include spicy grilled liver and other offal.
? Walnuts feature in sauces and soups. They are also used in desserts, coated in caramelized sugar, gozinaki, or in churchkhela, when they are threaded on string then dipped in thickened, sweetened grape juice which is subsequently dried into chewy, flavorsome 'candles'.
? There is less emphasis on lamb to the exclusion of other kinds of meat than in other parts of the Caucasus. Roast suckling pig is often served, and beef and chicken are grilled or casseroled in various sauces, one of the commonest forms being chakhokhbili, a stew involving herbs, tomatoes and paprika.
? Lobio, a bean and walnut salad.
? Marinated aubergines, pkhali, made from young spinach leaves pounded together with spices.
? Khachapuri, consisting of layers of flat bread alternated with melting cheese.
? Basturma, cured meat and assorted fresh and pickled vegetables. National drinks:
? Kindzmareuli, a fruity, red wine, is reputed to have been Stalin's favorite tipple.
? Akhasheni and Teliani are two of the commoner red wines, fruity and dry respectively.
? Tsinandali is a dry white wine, as is Gurdzhaani.

Tipping:
For service in restaurants, cafes or taxis, the bill is usually rounded up

Nightlife
Nightlife in the republic is to be found primarily in international hotels although there are some bars and restaurants in Tbilisi. The Georgian State Dancers are highly praised but only occasionally to be glimpsed in Tbilisi, being almost constantly on tour. The Rustaveli Georgian Drama Theater also has a good reputation and is particularly renowned for its Shakespeare productions. The Georgian folk theater Nabadi, holds performances depicting the history of the country in modern and traditional forms.