Tourism in Georgia is an increasingly important component of the country's economy. In 2015 it employed around 158,500 people, producing 6.7% of Georgia's GDP and providing US$1.94 billion of revenue. [1] In 2019, the number of international arrivals reached a record high of 9.3 million people [2] with foreign exchange income in the year's first three quarters amounting to over US$3 billion. The country plans to host 11 million visitors by 2025 with annual revenues reaching US$6.6 billion. [3]
The expenditures of foreign visitors to Georgia have a significant effect on the balance of payments, and approximately 35.9% of Georgia’s goods and service export revenue comes from tourism. [4] International tourists stay an average of 6.5 days. [5]
The official body tasked with promoting tourism to Georgia is the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA). In 2016, the GNTA participated in 21 international and domestic tourism fairs, conducted marketing campaigns on 16 target markets, and hosted 99 press and familiarization trips. [5]
As of August 2017, there were a total of 1,945 accommodation units registered in the GNTA database, with a total of 65,656 beds. The regions with the most beds were Tbilisi - 17,796 (27.1%) and Adjara - 12,126 (18.5%). [6] The most prevalent form of accommodation is hotels (41,123 beds), followed by Family Hotels (11,374 beds). In 2017, 60 new hotels with a combined bed number of 3,894 were opened. From 2017 to 2019, 194 hotels are planned to open, with a total bed number of 21,216. [6]
Hotel chains with operations in Georgia include:Marriott Hotels & Resorts, [7] Le Méridien, Courtyard by Marriott, [8] Mercure, [9] Millennium Hotel, [10] Hilton Hotels & Resorts, [11] Holiday Inn, [12] Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, [13] and Radisson Hotels. [14]
Batumi features several casinos that attract tourists from Turkey, where casino gambling is illegal.[ citation needed ]
The most common citizenships of international visitors arriving in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019: [5] [15] [16]
№ | Country | 2015 | № | Country | 2016 | № | Country | 2017 | № | Country | 2018 | № | Country | 2019 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Armenia | 1,468,888 | 1 | Azerbaijan | 1,523,075 | 1 | Azerbaijan | 1,301,556 | 1 | Azerbaijan | 1,424,610 | 1 | Azerbaijan | 1,526,619 | ||||
2 | Azerbaijan | 1,393,257 | 2 | Armenia | 1,496,246 | 2 | Armenia | 1,287,168 | 2 | Russia | 1,404,757 | 2 | Russia | 1,471,558 | ||||
3 | Turkey | 1,391,721 | 3 | Turkey | 1,254,089 | 3 | Russia | 1,135,610 | 3 | Armenia | 1,268,886 | 3 | Armenia | 1,365,048 | ||||
4 | Russia | 926,144 | 4 | Russia | 1,037,564 | 4 | Turkey | 1,007,276 | 4 | Turkey | 1,098,555 | 4 | Turkey | 1,156,513 | ||||
5 | Ukraine | 141,734 | 5 | Ukraine | 172,631 | 5 | Iran | 282,549 | 5 | Iran | 291,070 | 5 | Ukraine | 207,667 | ||||
6 | Israel | 59,487 | 6 | Iran | 147,915 | 6 | Ukraine | 169,862 | 6 | Ukraine | 177,058 | 6 | Israel | 205,051 | ||||
7 | Poland | 41,425 | 7 | Israel | 92,213 | 7 | Israel | 115,040 | 7 | Israel | 156,922 | 7 | Iran | 141,997 | ||||
8 | Germany | 36,826 | 8 | Kazakhstan | 48,809 | 8 | Poland | 48,913 | 8 | Poland | 66,903 | 8 | Kazakhstan | 103,611 | ||||
9 | Kazakhstan | 36,777 | 9 | Poland | 44,388 | 9 | Kazakhstan | 56,765 | 9 | Germany | 64,486 | 9 | Germany | 89,051 | ||||
10 | United States | 31,147 | 10 | Germany | 40,889 | 10 | Saudi Arabia | 56,247 | 10 | Belarus | 58,955 | 10 | Poland | 88,300 | ||||
Total arrivals in 2015 | 5,901,094 | Total arrivals in 2016 | 6,350,825 | Total arrivals in 2017 | 7,902,509 | Total arrivals in 2018 | 8,679,544 | Total arrivals in 2019 | 9,357,964 |
Destinations [17] | Attractions |
---|---|
Tbilisi | Old Tbilisi • Narikala • Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square • Funicular • "Dry bridge" • Agmashenebeli Avenue • Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia • Art Museum of Georgia • Gabriadze Theater • Holy Trinity Cathedral • Ethnographic Museum • Tbilisi Botanical Garden • Lisi Lake • Rike park • Sioni Cathedral • Anchiskhati Basilica • Chardin street • Mtatsminda Park |
Mtskheta | UNESCO World Heritage Sites : Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Jvari Monastery, St. Nino Monastery • Bebristsikhe • Armaztsikhe (Bagineti) • Armazi Fortress • Monastery of Shio Mghvime • Zedazeni • Ilia Chavchavadze Saguramo State Museum |
Gori | Gori Fortress • Virgin Mary Cathedral • Historical-Ethnographic Museum • State Museum of Joseph Stalin • Museum of Military Glory • Gorijvari (resort) • Uplistsikhe • Ateni Gorge • Village Gardateni • Ruisi Cathedral of Transfiguration • Urbnisi Cathedral |
Zugdidi | Dadiani Palace History and Architectural Museum • Ganmukhuri and Anaklia (Black Sea Resorts) • Kolkheti National Park • The swinging rock – "Kuakantsalia" • Khobi Monastery • Skuri (resort) • Complex of "Otsindale" • Shurubumu (wonder of the natural world) • Canyon of Intsra • Enguri Hydropower Plant |
Kutaisi | UNESCO World Heritage Sites : Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery • Motsameta Monastery • Kutaisi State Historical Museum • National Museum of Military Glory • Historical district of the city • Vani Archeological Museum • Sataplia Nature Reserve • Prometheus Cave • Katskhi Pillar • Okatse Canyon |
Telavi | Telavi State History and Ethnography Museum • Cholokashvili Street • Batonis Tsikhe Castle • Nadikvari Park • Giant Plane tree • Old Shuamta (one of the olsdest Orthodox churches in Georgia) • New Shuamta • Ikalto • Alexandre Chavchavadze Tsinandali Museum • Alaverdi Monastery |
Mestia | UNESCO World Heritage Sites : Ushguli (one of the highest settlements in Europe) • Svaneti Historic and Ethnography Museum • Museum of Michael Khergiani • Transfiguration Cathedral in Laghami • Ski lift and the view from Zuruldi • Chalaadi Glacier • Kala settlement • Village Adishi • Ipari-Nakipari Church of St. George • Latali Church of the Lord • Hiking • Camping |
Stepantsminda | Stepantsminda Historic Museum • Gergeti Trinity Church • Gveleti Waterfall • Devdoraki Glacier • Dariali Gorge • Upper Truso Gorge • Khdi Gorge • Gorge of Artkhmo • Village Sno • Juta • Hiking • Camping |
Borjomi | Blue Palace "Firuza" • Mineral Water Park • Borjomi Museum of Local Lore • Gogia’s Castle • Peter’s Castle • Likani Palace • Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park • Timotesubani Monastery - The Cathedral of Holy Virgin • The Green Monastery • Kvabiskhevi Church of the Assumption |
Batumi | Beaches of Adjara • Old Batumi • Batumi Boulevard • Batumi Botanical Garden • Dolphinarium • Piazza Batumi • "Argo" Entertainment Center and Batumi Cable Car • Gonio Fortress • Makhuntseti Waterfall • Skhalta Monastery • Mtirala National Park |
Akhaltsikhe | Rabati Castle • Atskuri Fortress • Sapara Monastery • Vardzia (cave town) • Khertvisi Fortress • Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory • Akhaltsikhe Synagogue |
Kvareli | Kindzmarauli vineyard • Khareba vineyard • Ilia Lake resort • House-Museum of Ilia Chavchavadze • Kvareli Fortress |
Sighnaghi | Town Streets, Museum of Sighnaghi • St. Stephen Church • Wineries • Bodbe Monastery |
Gudauri | Skiing • Paragliding • Heli-skiing • Speedriding • Snowboarding • Ski school |
Bakuriani | Skiing • Snowboarding • Recreation • Bakuriani Park • Snowmobiling |
Tetnuldi | Skiing • Mountaineering • Snowboarding |
Goderdzi | Skiing • Snowboarding • Freeriding |
Georgia is one of the oldest wine regions in the world and winemaking is deeply ingrained in the culture of the country. [18] The oldest archaeological remains related to grape seeds and winemaking dating back 8,000 years have been found at an archeological site at Gadachrili Gora, [19] in Georgia, while today the country has over 500 varieties of grape. [18] As of 2019, Georgia has 20 appellations of origin of wines, they are: Tsinandali, Napareuli, Atenuri, Kindzmarauli, Akhasheni, Mukuzani, Khvanchkara, etc. [20]
41% of Georgia's territory is covered by forests, with 25% of Georgia's territory lying within protected national parks. [21] Protected areas of Georgia offer various services including: boating tours, birdwatching, eco-educational tours, [22] hiking, horse riding, biking, [23] safari tours, [24] sport fishing. [25] Georgia is a home to about 5,601 species of animals, including 648 species of vertebrates (more than 1% of the species found worldwide) and many of these species are endemics. [26]
In 2016, 310,477 foreign and 424,397 Georgian citizens visited the Protected Areas of Georgia. [27] The most popular attractions were Prometheus Cave, Kazbegi National Park and Sataplia Managed Reserve. [5] [28]
A travel advisory was in place during and after the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. It had the severity level of "extreme danger", due to the risks associated with fallout from the war, including land mines. [29] [30]
Since then tourist safety has improved, and in 2017 the International Crime Index ranked Georgia as the 7th safest country out of the 125 in its index. [31]
Georgia uses the standard Europlug (220 V, 50 Hz), the international dialing prefix is +995, it uses the metric system, and its currency is the lari (GEL or ₾). [29]
Batumi, historically Batum or Batoum, is the second-largest city of Georgia and the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, located on the coast of the Black Sea in Georgia's southwest, 20 kilometers north of the border with Turkey. It is situated in a subtropical zone at the foot of the Caucasus. Much of Batumi's economy revolves around tourism and gambling, but the city is also an important seaport and includes industries like shipbuilding, food processing and light manufacturing. Since 2010, Batumi has been transformed by the construction of modern high-rise buildings, as well as the restoration of classical 19th-century edifices lining its historic Old Town.
Georgia is a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is part of the Caucasus region, bounded by the Black Sea to the west, Russia to the north and northeast, Turkey to the southwest, Armenia to the south, and Azerbaijan to the southeast. Georgia covers an area of 69,700 square kilometres (26,900 sq mi). It has a population of 3.7 million, of which over a third live in the capital and largest city, Tbilisi. Georgians, who are indigenous to the region, constitute a majority and a titular nation in Georgia.
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is a global brand of full-service hotels and resorts and the flagship brand of American multinational hospitality company Hilton.
Sky Georgia was an airline from Tbilisi, Georgia, operating out of Tbilisi International Airport.
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Rezidor Hotel Group AB, originally SAS International Hotels A/S and then Rezidor SAS Hospitality A/S, Rezidor SAS Hospitality Group AB (publ), was a listed hotel group company. Originally founded by Scandinavian conglomerate SAS Group as a hotel in 1960, it became a listed company in 2006. The global headquarters of Rezidor relocated to Brussels, Belgium, circa 1989. The listed company managed hotel chains under brands such as Radisson SAS (now Radisson Blu), Park Inn, and Country Inns & Suites. The brands were franchised from American hospitality and travel conglomerate Carlson Companies from 1994 (the Radisson brand) and 2002 (the other brands) respectively. In 2005, Carlson Companies acquired 25% of the shares of Rezidor Hotel Group from SAS Group. In 2007, SAS Group ceased to be a shareholder of the company.
Kutaisi International Airport also known as David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport is an airport located 14 km (8.7 mi) west of Kutaisi, the third largest city in the country of Georgia and capital of the western region of Imereti. It is one of three international airports currently in operation in Georgia, along with Tbilisi International Airport serving the Georgian capital and Batumi International Airport near the Adjara Black Sea resort. The airport is operated by United Airports of Georgia, a state-owned company.
Prostitution in Georgia is illegal but widespread, particularly in the capital, Tbilisi. Many NGO's attribute this to the harsh economic conditions according to the US State Department. Prostitution occurs on the streets, in bars, nightclubs, hotels and brothels. UNAIDS estimate there are 6,525 prostitutes in Georgia.
The Tbilisi Marriott Hotel is a luxury five-star hotel located on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, Georgia. Built as a high-class hotel on the commission of the wealthy Armenian merchant Mikael Aramyants, it was opened in 1915 as Hôtel Majestic.
Telavi is a municipality of Georgia, in the region of Kakheti. Its administrative centre is Telavi. Telavi is an important transportation hub, industrial, agricultural (winemaking) and cultural center of Eastern Georgia.
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A resort fee, also called a facility fee, a destination fee, an amenity fee, an urban fee, or a resort charge, or a hidden hotel booking fee is an additional fee that a guest is charged by an accommodation provider, usually calculated on a per day basis, in addition to a base room rate.
CONNECT Route Development Forum is a European event aimed at the aviation industry.
Café Fantasy or the Octopus was a coffeehouse situated in the town of Batumi, on the boulevard by the Black Sea, beside Shota Rustaveli State University. It used to face the old holiday house “Batumi”, recently replaced by Hilton Batumi.
Machakhela National Park is a national park in Adjara, in the valley of Machakhlistskali, Georgia. The park was established in 2012 with an area of 8733 ha (hectares).