Chinese tourists are “very desirable” visitors worldwide - GNTA Head on visa-free travel with China
In 2023, Georgia welcomed up to 50,000 Chinese tourists, she noted, indicating that it would be a promising market for the country. Omiadze also announced the GNTA’s plans in 2024 to visit China and participate in an international exhibition in Shanghai to facilitate connections between Georgian tourism companies and local counterparts. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Maia Omiadze, the Head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, on Tuesday said Chinese tourists were “very desirable” visitors worldwide, taking long journeys with substantial spending of money.
Omiadze’s comments followed the Chinese Government’s decision to introduce visa-free travel to the country for Georgian citizens on Monday.
In 2023, Georgia welcomed up to 50,000 Chinese tourists, she noted, indicating that it would be a promising market for the country. Omiadze also announced the GNTA’s plans in 2024 to visit China and participate in an international exhibition in Shanghai to facilitate connections between Georgian tourism companies and local counterparts.
We will also have close ties with the [Chinese] tourism associations, and of course, we are planning marketing campaigns with both digital and traditional media channels”, the Head of the Tourism Administration added.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday announced the Chinese Government’s decision to introduce visa-free travel and noted that Georgian nationals could stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days.
The Georgian Government last year announced visa-free travel to the country for Chinese citizens, citing attracting visitors and mutual economic investments as the “main interests” behind the decision.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said the Chinese Government had made a decision to introduce visa-free travel to the country for Georgian citizens.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Human Rights, on Tuesday said China was a “country of huge opportunities”, with visa-free travel for Georgian citizens leading to “new prospects” for them.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said the Chinese Government’s introduction of visa-free travel for Georgian nationals would bring economic benefits and promote relations between the countries in the coming years.
The Chinese Government’s introduction of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens “emphasises its attitude toward Georgia” and the strategic partnership between the countries, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Monday.
About 1.27 million Georgian citizens aged 15 and above made 1.59 million monthly visits within the country in 2023 with a total expenditure amounting to ₾278 million ($104.52), the National Statistics Office of Georgia said on Thursday.
Tea Zakaradze, the General Manager of TAV Georgia, the company operating Tbilisi and Batumi airports, met with the representatives of major Asian airlines, such as Thai AirAsia X, Cathay Pacific, Scoot, Jeju Air and India Express, and discussed the launch of flights from Asia to Georgia.
Irakli Chikovani, the Minister of Defence of Georgia, on Monday met Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to the country, to discuss strategic partnership.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said revenues from international tourism were expected to reach $4.5 billion this year, while Georgian airports would serve 6.8 million passengers.