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Georgia – Places to Explore

GEORGIA

Georgia - Operation World

Source: Google image

Georgia, a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, is a former Soviet republic that’s home to Caucasus Mountain villages and Black Sea beaches. It’s famous for Vardzia, a sprawling cave monastery dating to the 12th century, and the ancient wine-growing region Kakheti. The capital, Tbilisi, is known for the diverse architecture and mazelike, cobblestone streets of its old town.

Inbound tourism (visits to Georgia)

  • Visitor numbers : 5.14 million international visitors in 2023, an increase from the pandemic low of 1.4 million in 2021. 
  • Purpose of visit: Holiday, leisure, and recreation (2.69 million visitors), followed by visiting friends/relatives (1.05 million) and transit (658,000). 
  • Key destinations: The capital city, Tbilisi, received the most inbound tourists, followed by Adjara, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Kvemo Kartli, and Samtskhe-Javakheti. 
  • Reasons for travel:  Besides the primary reasons of holiday and leisure, international visitors also travel for business (349,000) and shopping (276,000).

Source: National Statistics Office of Georgia

Outbound tourism (visits by Georgian residents)
  • Purpose of visit: The main reasons for outbound travel are visiting friends and relatives and shopping. 
  • Key destinations: The majority of outbound visits in late 2024 were to Turkey and the Russian Federation. 
  • Visitor demographics: The 31-50 age group makes the most outbound visits.  Women account for approximately 45% of all outbound visits. 
  • Travel behavior: The average stay is around 7.3 nights, and most visits are repeat visits (about 97.8%).Despite a slight decrease in total expenditure, the average expenditure per visit increased by 4.8% in late 2024 compared to the previous year.
    Source: National Statistics Office of Georgia

    Types of Tourism in Georgia by Activity

    🏛️ Heritage Tourism

    • Uplistsikhe Cave Town: Ancient rock-hewn town with temples and dwellings dating back to the early Iron Age.
    Source: Google Images
    • Mtskheta: UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery.
    Source: Google Images

    🌿 Eco Tourism

    • Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park: One of the largest national parks in Europe, ideal for hiking and wildlife spotting.
    Source: Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
    • Tusheti Region: Remote mountain villages, pristine nature, and sustainable tourism practices.
    Source: Google Images

    🏖️ Sun, Sea, and Sand Tourism

    • Batumi (Adjara): Black Sea coastal city with beaches, palm-lined boulevards, and a vibrant nightlife.
    Source: Georgian Travel Guide

    🎭 Cultural Tourism

    • Tbilisi: Rich in museums, galleries, and historic architecture like the Narikala Fortress and sulfur baths.
    • Kutaisi: Home to the Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery.

    🏅 Sports Tourism

    • Gudauri: Popular ski resort in the Caucasus Mountains.
    • Batumi Stadium: Hosts international football matches and events.

    💼 MICE Tourism

    • Expo Georgia in Tbilisi: Major venue for conferences, exhibitions, and business events.
    • Hotels like Rooms and Radisson Blu: Offer meeting facilities and business services.

    🎉 Event Tourism

    • Tbilisi Open Air Festival: Annual music festival attracting international artists.
    • Rtveli: Traditional grape harvest festival celebrated across wine regions.

    🕯️ Dark Tourism

    • Stalin Museum in Gori: Dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, born in Georgia.
    • Abandoned Soviet-era sanatoriums: Found in places like Tskaltubo.

    🚢 Cruise Tourism

    • Batumi Port: Occasionally receives Black Sea cruise ships, offering access to Adjara and western Georgia.