First Ukrainian International car rental in Georgia country
Ironically, patriotism awakens at critical
moments, many felt it in 2014 on the wave of the rise of Ukrainian statehood.
Someone defended the Motherland, someone left, someone supported the country
from abroad. We all become relatives and learn what «fellow countryman» is or
friend, brother, when something is deprived, even living abroad.
In recent years, Georgia has become one of the
most popular destinations for tourism not only in Ukraine but also in Europe,
which was facilitated by the developing business climate, excellent taxation
system, reforms and the ultimate beauty of the country.
Surely many of our citizens have already
visited Georgia and felt the color of this country on their own. Someone liked
this country, someone left it indifferent, and someone just did not like it.
On the pages of our publication, we could tell
a lot about Georgia, traveling, people and features, but this article is about
Ukrainians, patriotism and development.
Visiting Georgia, we could not bypass the
service of renting a car. Arriving in Tbilisi, we naturally explored several
web pages that offered car rental in Tbilisi and strangely stayed on RACE, the
company offered good prices (for comparison, 2-3 times cheaper than
international companies), a large selection of cars. We got a car in Tbilisi,
drove the whole country, visited everywhere where it was possible and completed
our trip in the office of the company in Batumi. For traveling we chose a
comfortable Mitsubishi crossover.
What was the most interesting is that the
company and the RACE trademark itself has Ukrainian roots, and it is not based
on immigrants from Ukraine or internally displaced people, and this is real
Ukrainian investment in another state. Back in Ukraine, we asked for a meeting
with RACE and found out all the details.
The meeting was held because of great
curiosity, because we had a sense of pride for the country Ukraine, besides we
saw many Ukrainian flags in Georgia, we were given great hospitality, and met a
related company that is from our country. We are all used to se the famous
brands Coca-Cola, Sony, McDonald's, Metro and others in different countries and
at home, we take it for granted, but see Ukrainian milk, Oleina sunflower oil and
finally, RACE car rental in Georgia was a big surprise.
At the headquarters of RACE we were informed
that the full representation of the company in Georgia started its operations
in 2014, over the period of several years of operation the company fully covers
all the cities of Georgia with offices located in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi,
and also provides services on the delivery of cars to Mestia, Kobuletti, Ureki,
Stepantsmindu, Borjomi and other cities.
Next, we would like to quote excerpts from our
interview in Ukraine on our return from Georgia. The conversation was conducted
with Taras Getmansky, representative of RACE in Ukraine.
Question: What was the impetus for opening a
branch in Georgia?
Answer: Development, stagnation of the
Ukrainian market, expansion of the company's activity area.
Question: Why was Georgia chosen?
Answer: It is a fairly promising country, which
for some time has outstripped Ukraine, but in some ways lagging behind us. It's
quite interesting to learn many things here.
Question: Was it difficult to open a car rental
in Georgia?
Answer: Something was very difficultly and even
now, something is very easy. Uniquely it is different by 50 or more percent
from Ukraine .
Question: How do you assess the prospects for
the development of the market in Georgia?
Answer: Speaking about the rental market, it is
already quite saturated, although tourists are still being added, as well as
car rental companies that appear annually and also disappear every year on a
mass scale. But if we talk at all about the Georgian market, then it is quite
promising, since in many respects it reminds Ukraine of 1993-1995, because
businessmen have something to do here.
Question: Do you know the markets specifically
or could you advise something?
Answer: There are a lot of markets; I cannot be
an expert in everything. But there were a few people who rented a car from us
in Georgia and it happened that we became familiar, we helped them to find new
contacts in Georgia 2 years ago. Now I've found they are working perfectly.
Question: in which sphere did the businessmen
who were assisted work? If it`s not a secret.
The answer is no secret. Construction,
confectionery (factory).
Question: back to the rental. How you are
treated in the market, you are a foreign company. You are loved, hated, trying
to get out of the market?
Answer: We are a Georgian company. Yes, we have
the roots of a trademark in Ukraine, but in fact in Georgia we are a separate
Georgian company. I do not know exactly how they relate, differently, someone
is jealous, someone does not like, but for someone we are the best (for clients
of course).
Question: And how does the state relate to you,
the state. Organs, tax?
Answer: I think it's positive. We, probably,
are the most or one of the biggest tax payers in this field of business in
Georgia, therefore, for the state, probably, we are a good company. The
relationship here is straightforward to everyone, big or small, rich or poor -
pay taxes and sleep peacefully, which we do in Georgia, work and pay taxes.
Question: Which car fleet do you have in
Georgia?
Answer: About 150 cars of different brands.
Question: What can you offer your clients in
Georgia exclusive in contrast to other companies?
Answer: Yes. On-line payments, picking up and drop
off a car without a manager, only on-line application and payment, car rental
without deposit. The cheapest prices are also, probably, exclusive.
Question: What are the features of car rental
in Georgia?
Answer: a little unusual movement, otherwise
everything is super easy, easier than in Ukraine and in Europe.
Question: How do Ukrainian tourists treat you?
Do they choose you?
Answer: Yes, this is a big plus, when the
customer orders in Ukraine, often coming to our office in the Dnieper or Kiev,
for example. This gives a certain confidence to the client, they say if there
is something I will get you in Ukraine later.
Question: In fact, RACE is an international
company?
Answer: Now yes. This is a Ukrainian company,
which first became international. We are the first who opened branches abroad.
Question: What do you want to wish Ukrainians
and tourists.
Answer: Come to Georgia, rest, enjoy. Develop
and build global companies.
I think everyone has a reason for little pride,
because Ukraine is moving forward and who knows, maybe very soon in some 20-30
years we will walk the streets of other cities and countries not even think
about the fact that most of the signs are international Ukrainian Brands.
Interviewed by Ivan Fedorenko
Contacts of RACE in Georgia
Main office:
Kote Abhazi street, 22, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tel. (+995) 514-577-555
E-mail: info@race.com.ge