After three years of planning and construction, an ambitious tourism project was inaugurated last week, at the initiative of the Georgian government: Kass Land, built and managed by the Israeli Kass Group in partnership with developers Yehiel Hilik Bar and Yossi Sagol, who won the international tender for the project.
As part of the project, the Tsalka Canyon Nature Reserve in Georgia was restored, becoming a major (accessible) tourist attraction for travelers looking for both a thrilling and relaxed stay in a gorgeous setting.
Investment in the project, plus the restoration and development of the reserve, is estimated at 25 million USD.
Kass Land is located in the Tsalka Canyon Nature Reserve in the Dashbashi region of Georgia, an hour and a half drive from the capital of Tbilisi. It covers an area of 200 hectares, is set about 1,500 meters above sea level, and includes the Diamond Bridge, a holiday village, a hotel restaurant, and a variety of attractions. The project is located in an area characterized by natural beauty, with unique biodiversity of flora and fauna, dozens of waterfalls, and a deep canyon hewn in the volcanic rocks by the Khrami River.
The diamond in the bridge
The highlight of the project is the Diamond Bridge spanning two mighty cliffs on either side of the canyon. It is a 240-meter-long glass bridge rising 280 meters above the deep canyon, with waterfalls and streams gushing below. The bridge got its name from the Diamond Bar hanging in the center. It is the tallest hanging structure in the world (vying for a Guinness World Record) and sitting in the bar is an extraordinary experience in itself.
The bridge and Diamond Bar were designed and planned by Tomer Mor Yosef, construction took three years and involved professional teams from three countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, all tackling a complex construction feat requiring a lot of consideration for the natural terrain, using fine steel and non-dazzling glass, while the idea was to assimilate the bridge inside the spectacular green lung, without harming the breathtaking views.
Kass Diamond Resort
As part of the project and as a complementary step to the unique holiday experience, a holiday village was built on the site, with 120 luxurious guest villas (60 m2 each), and a balcony facing the spectacular views. All rooms have air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with shower and bathrobes, radiator-based heating, a minibar, a kitchenette and more.
Issta Real Estate has also partnered with other developers in building the resort, as they continue to develop the site and plan to complete a hotel with additional 100 guest rooms, within a year, plus a glamping site, an indoor water park, and more.
Kass Land is the largest tourist project in Georgia. In addition to the huge nature reserve, the transparent Diamond Bridge, and the luxury resort, visitors can enjoy many more attractions, such as a 40-meter cliff swing located in the heart of the reserve, cycling on cables stretched between the canyon cliffs, jeep tours, hiking trails, waterfalls tours, thermal pools, a horse farm and a chef’s restaurant offering a rich and varied menu against the backdrop of the magical landscape.
Commenting on the project, Tomer Mor Yosef, Vice President of Kass Group said: “Kass Land is an extraordinary project that offers a range of holiday experiences, attractions for the whole family, extreme activities, and culinary activities within a nature reserve full of green spaces, breathtaking landscapes, wild vegetation, waterfalls and more. In completing the project, we are fulfilling our vision to establish a huge and diverse tourist site that is on the list of must-see destinations for tourists from all over the world. This project is the fruit of Israeli creativity and we are very proud of it. The number of visitors to the site in the first year is estimated at two million visitors.”
Shimon Siboni, CEO of Issta Assets: “The purchase of the holiday village is a synergistic activity for Issta’s tourism activity. Georgia is a close and convenient destination for families and could well be a substitute for the Black Forest and Austria, thanks in part to the wonderful panorama and the fact that prices are 35% lower than in Europe.
“The location of the resort next to the nature reserve will bring many families there who can enjoy the wonders of the place. Accommodation conditions and the fact that the villas are all new will allow families accommodation at a higher level than other holiday villages in Europe. Even the short flight time is a huge advantage for families with children. We estimate that thousands of families will visit the site every year, and it will also be possible to provide kosher food.”
Co-developer Yehiel Hilik Bar said, “Georgia is a friendly country with full potential for entrepreneurship in many areas, it is rich in spectacular natural resources and encourages foreign entrepreneurs’ investments in developing tourist sites while preserving nature and the environment. This is a very popular destination among Israelis and tourists from all over the world, and we are very proud of the completion of this unique and huge project, which is an international-level attraction like no other in our region, and was designed and managed entirely by Israeli entrepreneurs.”
“We are proud that investors from Israel are leading international projects in foreign countries”, added entrepreneur and partner Yossi Sagol.
Prices:
- Entrance fee to the reserve and the bridge: 49 Georgian Lari (about 54 ILS), with free entry up to the age of 3.
- Attraction prices: The cliff swing and zipline bicycle both cost 50 Georgian lari per person.
- Accommodation at the resort starts from 500 Georgian Lari (midweek) to 750 Georgian Lari (weekends); prices are per room, for bed and breakfast, and may vary.
