For the first time since Q1 of 2020, the number of international visits to Georgia in Q1 of 2024 caught up with the pre-pandemic level observed in Q1 of 2019. In Q1 of 2024 a total of 1.3 million international visits were recorded, marking a 25% increase compared to the corresponding quarter of 2023.
In Q1 of 2024, Türkiye was the main country of origin for international visits to Georgia, contributing 19% of total visits, with Russia a close second, accounting for 16%. However, compared to the same period in 2023, visits from both Russia and Ukraine declined by 16% and 23%, respectively. Meanwhile, substantial increases were observed in the number of visitors from India (44%), Kazakhstan (40%), and Azerbaijan (28%).
Visits from five of the ten leading countries of origin showed a substantial recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels, with especially remarkable recovery in the number of visitors from Belarus (263%) and Kazakhstan (259%).
In Q1 of 2024, the average number of nights spent in Georgia by international visitors decreased compared to Q1 of 2023, dropping from 6 to 5.5 nights. However, this figure still exceeds the pre-pandemic average observed in Q1 of 2019 (3.7 nights).
In Q1 of 2024, income from international travel amounted to USD 807.7 million, representing a 2% increase compared to Q1 of 2023 and a significant 40% rise compared to Q1 of 2019. • In terms of nationality, the highest proportion of income generated from international visitors came from those from Russia in Q1 of 2024 (21% of total income), followed by Türkiye (15%). However, when it came to income generated per visit, the EU (USD 1,535 per visit) and Israel (USD 1,405 per visit) were the top contributors.
In Q1 of 2024, most of international visitors’ expenditure went on accommodation (27%), followed by shopping (20%). The distribution of expenditure in Q1 of 2024 remains similar to Q1 of 2023 in terms of accommodation and shopping shares. However, compared to Q1 of 2023, the share of expenditure on leisure increased (7 pp), while spending on food and drinks saw a decrease of 6 pp in the corresponding period of 2024.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that, in 2024, spending by international visitors will reach GEL 12.7 billion (8.6% rise compared to the previous year).
In Q1 of 2024, the number of domestic visits amounted to 4.7 million, reflecting a 7% increase compared to the corresponding period of 2023. Previously, a significant rise was recorded in domestic tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic when international travel was restricted. Since 2022, the reclassification of many Russian, Belarussian, and Ukrainian immigrants as residents rather than international visitors has contributed to a rising trend in this indicator, meaning that these figures do not necessarily indicate that more Georgians are vacationing domestically than before.
The distribution of domestic visitors by visited region Q1 of 2024 was similar to the corresponding period of 2023. Tbilisi remained the primary destination for domestic visits, accounting for 23% of total visits, followed by Imereti (18%) and Adjara (10%).
Since Q1 of 2021, a clear pattern of a decreasing average duration per visit has been evident in the corresponding quarters of subsequent years. In Q1 of 2024, the average number of nights spent per visit was 1.2, marking a slight decrease compared to the same period of 2023 (1.3 nights) and 2019 (1.4 nights).
In the Q1 of 2024, domestic visitors’ total expenditure amounted to GEL 798 million, representing an 8.6% increase compared to Q1 of 2023. The distribution of total expenditure remained similar, with shopping (35%), food and drink (21%), and transportation (19%) being the main categories.
WTTC estimates that, in 2024, domestic visitor spending will reach GEL 7.2 billion (10.1% increase compared to the previous year).
