Deputy Economy Minister says Georgia’s January-July tourism revenue at “historic high”

Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili on Thursday said the domestic tourism industry had recorded a “historic high” revenue of $1.89 billion between January and July, a 5.2 percent increase compared to the same period of last year.

Kvrivishvili said the indicator also exceeded the corresponding level of 2019 by 30.4 percent.

Our country's tourism industry continues to diversify. [Visitors from] [t]he European Union and Gulf countries have made a significant contribution to the growth of revenues. The number of airlines and flight frequencies is increasing in our country. We successfully continue to carry out marketing campaigns that contribute to promotion of Georgia in the international arena”, she said.

We have optimistic expectations for the current year, we are sure that by the end of the year, the tourism sector of Georgia will reach new record levels, which will positively affect on strengthening of our country's economy, sustainability of tourism industry and, of course, the well-being of our small and medium-size entrepreneurs”, she added.

The Ministry said a “significant increase” in tourism revenue had been recorded between January-June with visitors from the EU, Israel, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, compared to the same period of the previous year.

In her comments, Maia Omiadze, the Head of the National Tourism Administration, said the domestic sector had achieved “record-high” figures in revenue, aided by the Government's “right policy”, and noted increased flight frequencies had a “major impact” on the indicators.

The GNTA noted $1.9 billion in revenue in the first two quarters of the year had surpassed both the level of 2019 by $442 million, in a 30.4 percent increase, and figures from last year by $94 million, in a 5.2 percent rise.