Tourism in Georgia (country)

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Georgian National Tourism Administration logo GNTA logo 2019 v3.svg
Georgian National Tourism Administration logo

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]

Contents

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]

Accommodation

Hotel Tbilisi Marriott Tbilisi Marriott.JPG
Hotel Tbilisi Marriott

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 ]

Arrivals by country

Top 15 countries of origin for international tourists (first 5 months, 2016) Top 15 Countries by arrivals in Georgia (First 5 months, 2016).png
Top 15 countries of origin for international tourists (first 5 months, 2016)

The most common citizenships of international visitors arriving in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019: [5] [15] [16]

Country2015Country2016Country2017Country2018Country2019
1Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 1,468,8881Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan Increase2.svg 1,523,0751Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan Decrease2.svg 1,301,5561Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan Increase2.svg 1,424,6101Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan Increase2.svg 1,526,619
2Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 1,393,2572Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia Increase2.svg 1,496,2462Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia Decrease2.svg 1,287,1682Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Increase2.svg 1,404,7572Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Increase2.svg 1,471,558
3Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 1,391,7213Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey Decrease2.svg 1,254,0893Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Increase2.svg 1,135,6103Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia Decrease2.svg 1,268,8863Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia Increase2.svg 1,365,048
4Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 926,1444Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Increase2.svg 1,037,5644Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey Decrease2.svg 1,007,2764Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey Increase2.svg 1,098,5554Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey Increase2.svg 1,156,513
5Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 141,7345Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Increase2.svg 172,6315Flag of Iran.svg  Iran Increase2.svg 282,5495Flag of Iran.svg  Iran Increase2.svg 291,0705Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Increase2.svg 207,667
6Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 59,4876Flag of Iran.svg  Iran Increase2.svg 147,9156Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Decrease2.svg 169,8626Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Increase2.svg 177,0586Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Increase2.svg 205,051
7Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 41,4257Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Increase2.svg 92,2137Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Increase2.svg 115,0407Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Increase2.svg 156,9227Flag of Iran.svg  Iran Decrease2.svg 141,997
8Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 36,8268Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan Increase2.svg 48,8098Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Increase2.svg 48,9138Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Increase2.svg 66,9038Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan Increase2.svg 103,611
9Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 36,7779Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Increase2.svg 44,3889Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan Increase2.svg 56,7659Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Increase2.svg 64,4869Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Increase2.svg 89,051
10Flag of the United States.svg  United States 31,14710Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Increase2.svg 40,88910Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Increase2.svg 56,24710Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus Increase2.svg 58,95510Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Increase2.svg 88,300
Total arrivals in 20155,901,094Total arrivals in 20166,350,825Total arrivals in 20177,902,509Total arrivals in 20188,679,544Total arrivals in 20199,357,964

Destinations and attractions

Narikala, Tiflis, Georgia, 2016-09-29, DD 148-150 HDR.jpg
Narikala Fortress in Tbilisi
Georgia Jvari monastery IMG 9345 2070.jpg
Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta
2014 Kutaisi, Katedra Bagrati (04).jpg
Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi
Ushguli Svaneti Georgia.JPG
Ushguli community in Svaneti
Batumi (3001).jpg
Batumi seaside
Akhalcikhe, old city general view.jpg
Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe
Gudauri ski resort, Georgia 04.jpg
Gudauri ski resort
Destinations [17] Attractions
Tbilisi Old TbilisiNarikalaRustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square • Funicular • "Dry bridge" • Agmashenebeli AvenueSimon Janashia Museum of GeorgiaArt Museum of Georgia • Gabriadze Theater • Holy Trinity CathedralEthnographic MuseumTbilisi Botanical GardenLisi Lake • Rike park • Sioni CathedralAnchiskhati 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 MghvimeZedazeni • 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 MuseumGanmukhuri 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 MonasteryMotsameta MonasteryKutaisi State Historical Museum • National Museum of Military Glory • Historical district of the city • Vani Archeological MuseumSataplia Nature ReservePrometheus CaveKatskhi PillarOkatse 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 • IkaltoAlexandre Chavchavadze Tsinandali MuseumAlaverdi 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 • HikingCamping
Stepantsminda Stepantsminda Historic Museum • Gergeti Trinity Church • Gveleti Waterfall • Devdoraki GlacierDariali Gorge • Upper Truso Gorge • Khdi Gorge • Gorge of Artkhmo • Village Sno • Juta • HikingCamping
Borjomi Blue Palace "Firuza" • Mineral Water Park • Borjomi Museum of Local Lore • Gogia’s Castle • Peter’s Castle • Likani PalaceBorjomi-Kharagauli National ParkTimotesubani 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 MonasteryMtirala National Park
Akhaltsikhe Rabati CastleAtskuri FortressSapara MonasteryVardzia (cave town) • Khertvisi FortressGeorgian 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 SkiingParaglidingHeli-skiingSpeedridingSnowboarding • Ski school
Bakuriani SkiingSnowboarding • Recreation • Bakuriani Park • Snowmobiling
Tetnuldi SkiingMountaineeringSnowboarding
Goderdzi SkiingSnowboardingFreeriding

Winemaking

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]

Ecotourism

Black Cliffs' Lake (3,000 m asl), Lagodekhi Protected Area Black Cliffs' Lake, Lagodekhi Protected Area, Georgia 02.jpg
Black Cliffs' Lake (3,000 m asl), Lagodekhi Protected Area

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]

Safety

Countries that granted to Georgia the 'Safe Country' status Countries that granted to Georgia 'Safe Country' status.svg
Countries that granted to Georgia the 'Safe Country' status

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]

Practical information

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]

See also

Notes and references

  1. "Georgian tourism in figures" (PDF). GNTA. 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  2. "Statistics". MIA. February 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  3. "Georgia Tourism Strategy" (PDF).
  4. "Research Reports". Galt & Taggart Co. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Georgian tourism in figures" (PDF). GNTA. 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Accommodation Units". GNTA. August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  7. "Tbilisi Marriott hotel". marriott.com.
  8. "Courtyard Tbilisi". marriott.com. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  9. "MERCURE TBILISI OLD TOWN". mercure.com. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  10. "The Biltmore Hotel Tbilis". millenniumhotels. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  11. "HILTON BATUMI". hilton.com. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  12. "Holiday Inn Tbilisi". ihg.com. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  13. "Sheraton Batumi". sheratonbatumi.com. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  14. "Radisson Blu Iveria". radissonblu.com. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  15. "Statistics". GNTA. 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  16. International Travel (Residence) (2018)
  17. "Destinations". GNTA. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  18. 1 2 Ivan Watson (20 April 2010). "Unearthing Georgia's wine heritage". CNN. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  19. Andrew Curry (13 November 2017). "Oldest Evidence of Winemaking Discovered at 8,000-Year-Old Village". National Geographic. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019.
  20. National Agency of Wine. "Georgian wine". Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  21. "Details". Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  22. "Kolkheti National Park". Agency of Protected Areas. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  23. "Bordjomi-Kharagauli Protected Areas". Agency of Protected Areas. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  24. "Vashlovani Protected Areas". Agency of Protected Areas. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  25. "Chachuna Protected Areas". Agency of Protected Areas. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  26. "Eucariota, Animalia, Chordata". Georgian Biodiversity Database. Institute of Ecology. 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  27. "2016 წლის ვიზიტორთა სტატისტიკა თვეების მიხედვით". Agency of Protected Areas. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  28. Nana Bolashvili, Andreas Dittmann, Lorenz King, Vazha Neidze (eds.): National Atlas of Georgia, 138 pages, Steiner Verlag, 2018, ISBN   978-3-515-12057-9
  29. 1 2 Planet, Lonely. "Georgia travel - Lonely Planet". Lonely Planet.
  30. Planet, Lonely. "Eastern Europe & the Caucasus forum at Lonely Planet". www.lonelyplanet.com.
  31. "Crime Index for Country 2017". www.numbeo.com. Numbeo. 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.

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