In a landmark move set to redefine Georgia’s hospitality landscape, Petra Sea Resort has announced a strategic collaboration with Valor Hospitality Partners, a globally recognized hotel management company based in Atlanta, USA. The announcement, made at the prestigious Future Hospitality Summit, marks the first instance in Georgia where a resort of such scale will be fully managed by an international powerhouse like Valor Hospitality.
Petra Sea Resort, a multifunctional residential and investment complex nestled along the picturesque Black Sea in Tsikhisdziri, aims to offer a unique blend of luxury, comfort, and sustainability. The resort covers a sprawling 20-hectare plot, with a remarkable one-kilometer coastline and a vision that transcends traditional resort experiences.
In an exclusive interview, Tinatin Kalandarishvili, Head of Petra Sea Resort Project, shared insights into the vision behind this collaboration:
“As Petra Sea Resort is a large-scale and very complex project, it was important for us to find an experienced management company to manage all facilities within the resort. Our goal is to offer a high level of services, and we are sure that with Valor, we can set a new benchmark in the region.”
Michael Pownall, Co-founder and managing Partner (Africa & Middle East +CIS) at Valor Hospitality Partners, emphasized the global perspective they bring:
“Valor brings a global perspective to managing a mixed-use development which includes hospitality assets, branded residences, non-branded residences, commercial components, significant food and beverage, lifestyle, and community elements.”
The collaboration is poised to contribute significantly to the growth and development of Petra Sea Resort.
“Together with Valor Hospitality partners, we are developing not only the management strategy of the resort but also optimizing the master plan to offer vast and diverse infrastructure for year-round living and leisure,” Kalandarishvili stated.
Pownall added, “Being managed by a hospitality company brings the element of hospitality into the whole equation, which traditionally would have been more transactional in nature.”
The decision to announce the collaboration at the Future Hospitality Summit, a gathering of industry leaders and professionals, was explained by Kalandarishvili:
“For Petra Sea Resort, it was important to show off the project within this event and attract the attention of industry professionals to the project in particular and to our country in general.”
Pownall highlighted the significance of the event as a premium platform for networking and investment opportunities, aligning with their strategic goals.
The collaboration has garnered positive feedback from stakeholders, including investors and the public. Kalandarishvili explained:
“The collaboration was the idea of me and my team, and it was very easy to convince the shareholders of the company that this was the right thing to do.”
Regarding industry trends, Kalandarishvili mentioned the incorporation of branded residences, reflecting a growing demand for luxury properties associated with well-known hotel brands.
The collaboration itself stands out as a distinctive feature, making Petra Sea Resort the first of its kind in the region. Kalandarishvili emphasized:
“The main distinctive feature is the collaboration with Valor. Petra Sea Resort will be the first resort of this scale to be managed by an international management company.”
She then outlined the resort’s commitment to sustainability:
“All the buildings of Petra Sea Resort will be designed and built in full compliance with the requirements of the current legislation, which will allow its residents to reduce the energy resources consumed by 30-40%.”
Regarding technology, both leaders highlighted its role in enhancing guest experiences.
“New technologies help to reduce costs, lower staff workloads, increase revenue generation, and improve customer experience,” Kalandarishvili noted.
The impact on the local community is a crucial aspect of Petra Sea Resort’s vision.
“The resort will employ over a thousand local professionals and will contribute to their professional growth. Furthermore, the resort will support local suppliers and collaborate with them in each area of resort operations,” she said.
Pownall, reflecting on community impact, emphasized: “The project will create positive momentum for the local economy, local colleges, upskilling, and multi-skilling of existing talent.”
In conclusion, the collaboration between Petra Sea Resort and Valor Hospitality Partners not only signifies a monumental shift in Georgia’s hospitality sector but also sets a new standard for international collaboration and sustainable, community-driven resort development. As these two entities join forces, Georgia’s Black Sea coastline is poised to become a global hub for luxury living and unparalleled hospitality experiences.
By Mariam Gorkhelashvili
