Tourism as a driving force of the Georgian economy

Caucasus Column

Author: Dietrich Schartner

In 2025, Georgia is experiencing an economic upswing driven largely by the dynamic tourism sector.

Following the pandemic-related slumps of recent years, inbound tourism has recovered and is reaching new highs: In 2024, nearly five million international tourists visited the country, a figure that has returned to 2019 levels. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism are expected to reach approximately $4.5 billion in 2024, representing a significant increase over the previous year. This makes tourism one of Georgia’s most important sources of revenue, contributing directly to about 7.2 percent of the gross domestic product—and when indirect effects are factored in, the share rises to over 25 percent.

Most tourists from Russia

The largest group of international tourists in 2024 came from Russia, followed by Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. It is particularly noteworthy that Russia remains the most important source country despite strained political relations: In 2024, around 1.42 million Russian tourists visited Georgia. Many visitors also come from other neighboring countries such as Turkey (over 1.3 million) and Armenia (just under 950,000), while the number of guests from Western countries like Germany and Poland is rising but remains significantly lower compared to neighboring countries.

The Georgian government is specifically promoting eco- and cultural tourism to make the country attractive to various target groups. The liberal entry policy—many countries, including the EU, Russia, the U.S., and China, can visit Georgia visa-free—facilitates travel and further strengthens tourism. Overall, Georgia remains the most visited country in the Caucasus and benefits sustainably from the growing number of visitors.

For the Georgian economy, the tourism boom means not only more foreign exchange but also new jobs, investments, and a strengthened infrastructure. The largest tourist group—Russian visitors—continues to have a significant impact on the industry, while the country strives to increase its appeal to other international target groups.