Inbound tourism in Georgia increases 10.2% in Q3 of 2018

A total of 2.2 million international visitors ventured away from their home countries and visited Georgia in the third quarter (Q3) of 2018, which is a 10.2% year-on-year (y/y) increase, show the latest data published by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat).

International non-resident travellers travelled to Georgia 3.2 million times in Q3 of 2018 2.6 million of those visits were made by international visitors, says Geostat.

People aged 31-50 were the most avid inbound travellers (1,329,000 people), while the people least willing to travel were the elderly (47,400 people).

In terms of gender, more men (1,190,000) travelled to Georgia than women (985,700.) 

Why do tourists visit Georgia?

Holiday and transit to other countries are the most common reasons given by tourists for travelling to Georgia, a, while the second most common reason is  visiting friends and relatives.

Additionally, the top reasons for visiting Georgia included:

• Holiday/Leisure/Recreation – 1,346,800 visits (50.8%)
• Transit to other countries – 441,700 visits (16.7%)
• Visiting friends/relatives – 416,700 visits (15.7%)
• Business  – 203,900 visits (7.7%)
• Shopping – 118,600 visits (4.5%)
• Health and medical care – 58,500 visits (2.4%)
• Other – 63,400 travellers (1.9%)

Where do inbound visitors travel to in Georgia?

Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi was the most visited area, while the western region of Imereti was  the least popular destination in the country.

Here are the top five most visited areas:

• Tbilisi – 32%
• Adjara – 27%
• Mtskheta-Mtianeti – 12%
• Kvemo Kartli – 8%
• Kakheti – 6%