Q1 2023: Turkey, Armenia are top destinations for Georgian travellers

A total of 585,800 Georgian resident travellers took a trip outside of the country in the first quarter of 2023 with most of these trips being made to Turkey (234,100) and Armenia (64,300), show the latest data from the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

The next most in demand destinations were Russia (6.8 percent), Azerbaijan (1.8 percent), EU member countries (13.2 percent) and other countries (13.6 percent).

Georgian residents spent ₾372.5 million ($144.40m) while travelling abroad in Q1 of 2023. The average expenditure of the visit amounted to ₾830.8 ($322.06).

Georgians spent the highest amount of money on shopping (₾149.4 million), followed by foods and drinks (₾103.3 million) and accommodation (₾55.2 million).

What were the top reasons for visiting other countries?

Shopping was the most common reason for travel outside Georgia, while the top reasons for visiting other countries included:

• Shopping – 170,900 visits (38.1%)
• Visiting friends/relatives – 132,600 visits (29.6%)
• Business – 63,500 visits (14..2%)
• Holiday/Leisure/Recreation – 54,500 visits (12.2%)
• Health and medical care – 16,000 visits (3.6%)
• Other – 10,800 visits (2.4%)

In Q1 of 2023 the average number of nights spent during the outbound visits was 6.1 nights.

The majority of outbound visits (49.1 percent) belonged to the visitors of age group of 31-50 years. The number of visits made by women equalled to 45.4 percent of the total number of visits.