Jan-Mar 2016: A million people visit Georgia this year

More than one million international visitors have spent time in Georgia this year, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy.

Georgian officials say the first three months of 2016 were extremely successful in terms of international tourism, with guest numbers up significantly on previous years.

Today Georgia’s Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili released information that showed the number of visitors to Georgia in January-March 2016 was 14.7 percent higher than in 2015.

In the three month period (Q1), Georgia hosted 1,134,436 international visitors who spent an additional 87 million GEL (about $38.25 million/€33.62 million*) year-on-year (y/y).

In March alone 450,875 international visitors crossed into Georgia. This was a 16.7 percent increase y/y. Furthermore, 170,281 visitors spent more than 24 hours in Georgia, which was also an increase y/y, said Kumsishvili.

Last year we received $1.93 billion USD from international tourism, which was $148 million more compared to 2014,” he said.

We are glad that in March this year the number of international visitors (who crossed into Georgia for a period of time) increased 16.7 percent and the number of tourists (who spent at least 24 hours in Georgia) increased 24.8 percent.”

Compared to last year Georgia received 38 million GEL (about $16.7 million/€14.70 million*) more income in March from international tourism, said Georgia’s Economy Minister.

The Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) said Georgia had never hosted this number of visitors in March ever.

*Currencies are equivalent with the latest National Bank of Georgia exchange rate.