Ia Tabagari along with other enthusiasts laid foundation for the development of tourism in Georgia in 1997. Besides the tour-operating activities, she participated in various projects connected to tourism research and development in cooperation with the World Bank, USAID and European Union.

​With her direct guidance and initiative, various tourism related products were created, from which films created for Travel Channel, BBC and Discovery Channel were distinguished by extraordinary scenes of the Georgian culture, cuisine, wine making traditions, ethnography and nature.

​In addition, Ia Tabagari is the author of multiple publications, lecture courses and tourism training programs.

​From 2007 Ia Tabagari has been the chair of Georgian Incoming Tour Operators Association. In addition, she is the founder of 2 companies, one focused on wine tourism and event management, and the other on filmmaking. She is a co-owner of an agrotourism related entity in Kakheti.

​In 2014 along with other 4 female business owners laid foundation for a new idea “business women for tomorrow”, which resulted in the establishment of a new union “Women for Tomorrow”.

​Ia Tabagari also actively participates in horse-riding, hiking and ski expeditions, while exploring unknown territories and planning storylines for new travel films.