Page last updated: 21 November 2024
Georgia is a captivating destination known for its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, offering visitors everything from stunning mountain vistas to historic cities and world-class wine.
How many tourists visit Georgia each year?
In 2023, over 21.1 million international and domestic tourists visited Georgia.1
- Georgia attracted 6.4 million international visitors in 2019. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020, this number dropped by 81% to 1.26 million.
- By 2021, international tourism in Georgia began to recover, reaching 1.43 million visitors.
- Tourist numbers continued to rise in 2022 with 3.92 million international visitors, and in 2023, the figure climbed to 5.14 million, though this was still 20% lower than in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
How many tourists visited Georgia in 2024?
- From January to September of 2024, 4.25 million international tourists visited Georgia. Note: This data is from GeoStat and is subject to change.
| Inbound Tourism in Georgia in 2023 | |
| Quarter | Total Visit (in millions) |
| Q1 | 0.95 |
| Q2 | 1.30 |
| Q3 | 2.00 |
| Q4 | – |
How many people visited Georgia in 2023?
In 2023, Georgia welcomed 21.1 million visitors, with 5.1 million being international tourists and 15.9 million domestic travellers. This represented a 15% increase from the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019.
How much do tourists spend in Georgia every year?
Visitors, both domestic and international, spent over GEL 1.07 billion during their trips to Georgia in 2023.
- In 2019, international tourists in Georgia generated GEL 709 million in expenditure.
- Figures for 2020 and 2021 were not published by GEOStat due to the pandemic.
- Tourist spending reached GEL 894 million in 2022, with a further increase of 25% to GEL 1.07 billion in 2023, exceeding 2019 expenditure by 52%.
How much do tourists spend in Georgia?
- Tourists spend an average of GEL 2,298 per one-day stay in Georgia.
- The highest yearly expenditure of both domestic and international tourists in Georgia was observed in 2023 with GEL 1.3 billion.
Where do tourists spend money in Georgia?
- Accommodation accounted for 38.2% of the total expenditure, with tourists spending GEL 408.3 million on various lodging options such as hotels and rentals.
- Shopping took up 32.7% of spending, amounting to GEL 349.3 million on items like local goods, clothing, and souvenirs.
- Transport costs reached 27%, with GEL 288.7 million spent on transportation, including public transit, rentals, and taxis.
- Food and drinks represented 16.5% of the expenditure as visitors spent GEL 176.7 million enjoying Georgia’s cuisine and beverages.
- Recreation activities made up 7.6% of the total, with GEL 81.7 million dedicated to entertainment such as tours and outdoor activities.
- Other expenditures comprised 4.9%, with GEL 51.9 million going towards services like health care, personal care, and miscellaneous purchases.
Which countries visit Georgia the most?
In 2023, the leading sources of foreign tourists to Georgia were from Russia, followed by Turkey, Armenia, Israel, and Azerbaijan.
- Russia was the top source of international visitors to Georgia, accounting for 19% of the market share with a total of 993,989 visits. Turkey also contributed significantly, with 914,423 tourists.
- Armenia accounted for 11% of market share with 577,323 visits.
- Israel and Azerbaijan made 173,920 and 131,303 visits, respectively.
How long do visitors stay in Georgia?
- In 2023, international tourists spent an average of 6.5 nights visiting and exploring the wonders of Georgia.
Economic Impact – Georgia Tourism Statistics 2023
The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia released a summary report on the performance of the tourism and aviation sectors for 2023.
- In 2023, the tourism industry saw significant success, with revenue from international tourism surpassing 2022 figures by 17.3%, amounting to an increase of $608.7 million. Globally, tourism revenues showed a recovery rate of 93%.
- WTTC IER 2023 reports that the tourism sector offers 467,000 jobs, with a 27% share of the total jobs, but still 8% below pre-pandemic levels.
Georgia Tourism Statistics – International & Domestic Tourism
In 2023, domestic travellers accounted for 15.99 million tourists, making up 76% of the total visitors while international tourists amounted to 5.14 million.
- In 2019, Georgia welcomed a combined total of 18.3 million international and domestic tourists.
- However, when the pandemic struck in 2020, visitor numbers dropped significantly to 11.6 million.
- In 2021, Georgia received a total of 15.5 million tourists, despite the emergence of a new COVID variant. Domestic tourism rebounded with 14 million visitors, while international tourism remained low, with only 1.4 million tourists.
- 2022 is the recovery year for Georgia, nearly surpassing pre-pandemic figures with 17.5 million.
How popular is Georgia as a tourist destination?
- Georgia ranked 41st globally in terms of total arrivals in 2023.
Why do tourists visit Georgia?
- Holiday/Leisure Travel (2.69 million visits) was the dominant reason for visitors, representing the largest share due to Georgia’s strong appeal as a leisure destination.
- 1.04 million tourists were Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR), indicating the importance of Georgia’s diaspora or expatriate communities and their role in driving inbound tourism.
- 658,000 visits were transit-related, showing Georgia’s strategic location as a transportation hub for travellers passing through to other destinations.
- Tourists travelling for business made up 349,000 of visits, reflecting a moderate level of business-related travel to Georgia.
- 276,000 travellers were motivated by shopping, which may highlight Georgia as a destination for purchasing local goods or cross-border shopping for neighbouring countries.
- In 2023, 98,000 visits fell into the “other” category, indicating that a small percentage of visits were for miscellaneous purposes, such as medical treatment, education, or other specialised reasons.
Where is Georgia?
Georgia is located in the Caucasus region at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is bordered by several countries and bodies of water:
- North: Russia
- South: Turkey and Armenia
- Southeast: Azerbaijan
- West: The Black Sea
Key Geographic Features:
- Capital: Tbilisi, situated in the eastern part of the country.
- Major Mountains: The Greater Caucasus mountain range runs along the northern border, while the Lesser Caucasus mountains are found in the south.
- Climate: Georgia has a diverse climate, ranging from subtropical along the coast to continental in the interior.
Places to visit in Georgia
- The capital, Tbilisi, drew 250,509 tourists in 2023 with its blend of modern attractions, historical landmarks, and vibrant cultural scene.
- In 2023, Adjara attracted 224,512 visitors, mainly to Batumi for its Black Sea resorts and entertainment during the summer.
- With 39,133 visitors, Mtskheta-Mtianeti’s appeal lies in its ancient religious sites and outdoor activities in the Caucasus mountains.
- Samtskhe-Javakheti saw 28,165 visitors interested in its historical and natural attractions, including the Vardzia cave monastery.
- In 2023, Imereti recorded 391,000 visits. Tourists were driven by Kutaisi’s historical landmarks and natural wonders like the Prometheus Cave.
- Kakheti, famous for its wine tourism and scenic vineyards, welcomed 28,200 visitors in 2023.
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