Tourism increased by 43% in June
By Tea Mariamidze
Friday, July 7
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili claims that according to six months' worth of official data, the number of tourists in Georgia has increased by 29 percent and by 43 percent in June alone compared to the same period of 2016.
The PM made the statement at the cabinet session on Thursday. He noted that in June, 330,000 tourists visited Georgia.
“This is the number of tourists who have stayed for at least 24 hours in Georgia and their number is almost 99,000 more than June 2016's indicator,” Kvirikashvili stated.
The PM noted that the arrival of tourists in Georgia is increasing both from the region and from the European Union (EU) countries. The indicators appear as follows:
Austria +45 %
Netherlands + 36%
Germany + 32%
United Kingdom + 28%
France +23%
Lithuania +17%
“Each additional incoming tourist means additional income in the personal budget of our population and in the budget of the people who benefit from tourism,” Kvirikashvili said.
He added that the country should use its tourism potential to maximum effect.
Moreover, Kvirikashvili announced that in connection to the summer season, the ServiceAir air company is starting flights on the Tbilisi-Batumi-Tbilisi route from July 7. A one way ticket costs 90 GEL (around $37.56).
Flights will be performed by Saab aircraft every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, two times a day; every Friday and Sunday three times a day; and every Saturday one time a day.
"Our citizens and tourists will be able to use morning and evening flights. The Georgian Airports Association has purchased this service and as a result the flights will be affordable for everyone,” said Kvirikashvili.
