Tourism Statistics in Georgia

Tourism in Georgia

Georgia, stretching from the shores of the Black Sea to the snowy peaks of the Caucasus Mountains, has been hosting more and more tourists from numerous countries of the world. While 6,305,635 international travelers came to Georgia in 2015, which was a new record at the time, the number of travelers in 2019 reached 9,357,964. When the pandemic struck in 2020, in Georgia and the rest of the world, the tourism industry ground to a near-complete halt. Many people working in this sector were left jobless, and some businesses went bankrupt. However, in 2022, the sector has enjoyed a revival, with 5,426,903 travelers coming to Georgia representing 58% of the amount for the entire year of 2019 in which the record was set.

Geographical Origin of Tourists

Streams of tourists come to Georgia from its neighboring countries as well as from further afield. Georgia receives a substantial number of Azerbaijani, Armenian, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Russian tourists. In addition, EU citizens are starting to visit in greater numbers, as well as Israelis and Japanese. 

The most popular destinations in Georgia are the capital city of Tbilisi and the coastal region of Adjara (and particularly its captivating port city of Batumi). In the first half of 2022, a total of 820,500 tourists visited Tbilisi, and 548,400 tourists visited Adjara (despite the summer season not having started by that point). In the period from July to September, the number of visitors to Batumi, and to Adjara region as a whole increased substantially.

Tourists also travel in significant numbers to the mountainous locations of Svaneti, Tusheti, Khevsureti, and Kazbegi as well. Interest is also high among tourists in the regions of Imereti, Kakheti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli, and Guria. 

Tourist Seasons

Georgia attracts tourists all-year-round, but the trends in terms of places visited vary from one season to the next. 

During the winter, tourists are drawn to the ski slopes of Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia, and Goderdzi.

During fall, the western region of Kakheti is especially attractive to tourists, as the grapes are harvested and the 8,000-year-old tradition of Georgian wine-making continues.

During the summer, tourists flock to either the shores of the Black Sea, or up to the cooler climes of Georgia’s high mountains.

So, as soon as you find time for a vacation, come to Georgia, whatever the time of year, where wonderful memories are waiting to be made.