PM Kvirikashvili: Georgia’s international recognition is increasing

"International recognition of Georgia has increased and our country is becoming more popular among foreign tourists".

These words were spoken by Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili when he led a Governmental meeting this morning.

He mentioned concrete numbers, saying throughout the last seven months more than 3.4 million people visited Georgia. This was 11 percent higher than in the same period of last year.

"A record number of international visitors entered Georgia in July. Namely, 764,022 international visitors travelled to our country - as compared to last year, the number of visitors increased by 26,124,” Kvirikashvili said.

He welcomed that the number of tourists was increasing both from neighboring countries and European Union member states.

"In the first quarter of 2016, tourism related income was $354.5 million USD, which is 15.7 percent higher than last year's similar indicator,” the PM noted.

"I consider that this trend is very important since it implies growing income for all individuals engaged in the tourism industry - starting from the owners of family-type hotels and ending with large touristic complexes.”

The PM highlighted that a greater number of tourists meant more employed people in Georgia, which was "vitally important”.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili (R) and Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili. Photo by PM's press office

Kvirikashvili believed this result was possible thanks to the efforts of Georgia’s Economy Ministry, Administration of Tourism and Culture Ministry, whose events attracted international visitors to the country.

The PM added next year’s event calendar would be developed this autumn and the public and private sectors would partner up to create a diverse and interesting program. Kvirikashvili believed this would result in an even greater number of tourists next year.

Today’s Governmental meeting was the first time the new Ministers of Defence and Reconciliation and Civic Equality attended the Cabinet gathering.

The PM wished success to Levan Izoria and Ketevan Tsikhelashvili and said: "It is important that our team will remain consolidated. Two highly qualified new members have joined us and I am convinced that both agencies will be successful and many activities will be performed in these two directions.”