In March 17 in Paris opened an annual international tourism fair “Salon Mondial du Tourisme”. This is one of the most prestigious tourism exhibitions passable in Europe. It is attended by more than 120 countries such as the United States, Romania, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Belgium, Thailand, Turkey, Bulgaria, Korea and others.

Abkhazia at the exhibition represented by the delegation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia headed by its president Gennady Gaguliya. The delegation also includes the head of the department of tourism of the CCI of RA Inara Daurova and deputy head of the foreign relations and investments Tamila Mertskhulava.

It is worth emphasizing that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a huge experience of participation in such exhibitions, including in Serbia, Hungary, Turkey and other countries.

From the first minutes of the opening of the exhibition stand of the Republic of Abkhazia aroused great interest among the visitors that surprised many members of other delegations.

"Frankly speaking we are surprised by this attention to our exposition. We are grateful to the organizers of the exhibition, which had its opening posted on its website information - a kind of advertising Abkhazia and thus attracted a lot of attention to our republic. All interested in geographical position of Abkhazia, security and rule of visas, and most importantly the development of the tourist potential of the republic", – told the President of CCI of RA Gennady Gaguliya to "Abkhazia-Inform".

He stressed that the visit to the exhibition was preceded by serious work.

"There were conducted protracted negotiations and eventually Abkhazia takes part in the exhibition as an independent country," – said Gaguliya.

He noted the great role and support in preparing for the exhibition the representatives of Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Abkhazia in France Alina Ashuba-Bethune and Jean-Christophe Bethune. And today they are leaving their main job and helping our delegation.

According to Gennady Gaguliya, Abkhazia's stand was visited by journalists of the First Channel of France, who took a detailed interview about our republic. This news Abkhazia material called "new discovery of this exhibition", a country with great tourism potential.

In addition to the First Channel of France and other journalists and cameramen of different television companies came up and interviewed about Abkhazia and took pictures.

"For visitors we have prepared printed materials in French language with detailed information about Abkhazia. We are presenting the unknown French Abkhazian food and alcoholic beverages. In our pavilion constantly sound national melodies. Employees of CCI periodically perform Abkhazian folk dances, which are enthusiastically accepted the French public, "- said Gennady Gaguliya.

The exhibition in Paris will be lasted until March 20, 2016.