Ilia Okromelidze
Executive Director
Ilia Okromelidze is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Georgian Ecotourism Association. He holds a Master’s degree in Geoecology and is an independent expert on the ISO 14001 environmental management standard. Ilia has extensive professional experience in the fields of tourism and environmental protection. He is actively engaged in academic work at various educational and research institutions, and his research has been published in several scientific journals. Ilia Okromelidze is also a member of multiple advisory councils related to the tourism sector and the author of a national-level operational guideline for the development of hiking trails.
Natalia Bakhtadze Engländer
Chair of the Board
Natalia Bakhtadze-Englander is a co-founder of the Georgian Ecotourism Association with over 30 years of professional experience across various fields of tourism. She has a multidisciplinary educational background, including sustainable tourism development and non-governmental sector organization. Since the establishment of the Association, Natalia Bakhtadze-Englander has been an active member of its team. Her core competence and role lie in the strategic development of the organization and its key directions, as well as in the creation, management, and development of tourism destinations. Her strong combination of practical experience and academic foundation serves as an effective instrument for advancing tourism development both within Georgia and internationally.
Nino Arabuli
Project Manager
Nino Arabuli is a Project Manager at the Georgian Ecotourism Association. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Tourism from Ilia State University. She has extensive professional experience in tourism, project management, and event management. Nino is actively involved in the planning and implementation of both local and international projects. She has worked as a tourism consultant for various organizations, including in the fields of regional development, protected area management, and community-based tourism. Nino Arabuli is also a visiting lecturer at Ilia State University and the University of Georgia, where she teaches courses in event management.
Mariam Kvrivishvili
Projects and Communications Coordinator
Mariam Kvrivishvili is a Projects and Communications Coordinator at the Georgian Ecotourism Association. She holds a degree in Tourism from Ilia State University and has specialized training in sustainable tourism and graphic design. She is involved in the planning and implementation of the Association’s projects, including information collection and processing, as well as communication activities. Mariam actively contributes to the promotion of ecotourism and the operational support of the organization’s projects. Her work includes participation in field research, preparation of visual and communication materials, and the day-to-day coordination of ecotourism initiatives.
Ketevan Tsomaia
Communications and Field Operations Coordinator
Ketevan Tsomaia is a Communications and Field Operations Coordinator at the Georgian Ecotourism Association. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism from Ilia State University and has specialized training in sustainable tourism and graphic design. She is involved in the planning and implementation of the Association’s projects, including information collection and processing, as well as communication activities. Ketevan is actively engaged in the organization’s daily operations, social media communication, field activities, and the support of ecotourism routes. She is recognized for her organizational skills, teamwork experience, and analytical thinking.
Board Members
Nato Robitashvili
Board Member
Nato Robitashvili is a Board Member of the Georgian Ecotourism Association with over 10 years of professional experience in the tourism sector. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Geography and a Master’s degree in Cultural Management. Since 2011, she has been working in various professional and higher education institutions. Since 2015, she has been a visiting lecturer at Ilia State University, and since 2017 at Caucasus University, where she teaches courses in Tourism Product Development and Sustainable Tourism Development.
Nino Tigishvili
Board Member
Nino Tigishvili holds a Master’s degree in Tourism and has extensive experience in the planning and implementation of projects across various fields. In addition to project organization, she has strong expertise in managing digital tourism platforms and social media, as well as in information analysis and interpretation. She is also active in academia and has been a visiting lecturer at Ilia State University since 2020. Nino Tigishvili has broad experience in mentoring small and medium-sized entrepreneurs and working with vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities and internally displaced persons (IDPs). In parallel, she manages a small family business, Tigi’s House.
Teimuraz Popiashvili
Board Member
Teimuraz (Temo) Popiashvili is a wildlife photographer and professional guide. He is trained as a geographer and has dedicated the majority of his career to biodiversity research and nature conservation. Deeply inspired by the wild landscapes of Vashlovani, Temo has long been committed to sharing the region’s natural heritage with a wider audience. His passion for wildlife led him to photography as a means of documenting and communicating the value of untouched ecosystems.
Ketevan Ninidze
Board Member
Keto Ninidze is a journalist, wine writer, and winemaker. She has an academic background in literature and previously worked as a researcher at the Institute of Georgian Literature and at Ilia State University. She is the former Head of the Wine Information Center and the author of several books on literature and wine. Alongside her writing career, she manages her own vineyards and winery and was named Woman Farmer of the Year in 2018 by the Georgian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the Georgian Farmers’ Association.