AGP Executive Report

Hotel Investment: ART Riverfront Hotel has opened beside the Kura River in Tbilisi, adding 152 rooms, a restaurant and conference facilities. The Azerbaijani-owned project is expected to support tourism and investment ties. Getting Around: A section of the Chovelidze Street turnoff will close to vehicles and public transport from midnight November 1 to midnight November 2 for roadworks; bus and minibus routes will be diverted. Visitor Safety: Police arrested a man accused of assaulting a Belarusian tourist at Tbilisi’s railway station. She says he attacked her for speaking Russian; he gave a different account. Tourism Growth: Georgia’s tourism revenue reached $3.8 billion, while Chinese visitor numbers rose 23% in the first nine months of the year, setting a record. Winter Travel: A travel blogger highlights Gudauri’s skiing, short lift lines and value, alongside Tbilisi’s food and historic streets. Nature Tourism: More than a million raptors pass through Georgia’s Batumi bottleneck each autumn, drawing birdwatchers, though illegal hunting kills thousands of birds.

Tbilisi Travel: The Chovelidze Street turnoff will close to vehicles and public transport for 24 hours on November 1 during Rustaveli Avenue works; buses and minibuses will be diverted. The avenue’s wider rehabilitation is expected to finish by the end of November. Tourism Growth: Georgia recorded 4.4 million international tourist visits in the first nine months of 2026, up 2.3% year over year, while tourism revenue reached $3.8 billion. Chinese visitor numbers rose 23%, setting a nine-month record. Batumi: New airport investment and rising European demand are fuelling plans to build the city into a year-round destination, with more hospitality, cultural and entertainment offerings. Nature Travel: The Batumi bottleneck draws birdwatchers to see more than a million migrating raptors each autumn, but conservationists warn that over 9,000 birds are shot there for sport each season.

Birdwatching: More than one million raptors pass through Georgia’s Batumi bottleneck each autumn, drawing ecotourists. But illegal hunting kills an estimated 9,000 birds each season, raising concerns for conservationists. Tbilisi: Rustaveli Avenue’s rehabilitation is due to finish by the end of November, Mayor Kakha Kaladze says; further work on buildings along the avenue is planned for next year. Batumi: The city is positioning itself as a year-round destination, with record visitor numbers and airport expansion creating opportunities for new hospitality and cultural attractions. Tourism Growth: Georgia’s tourism revenue has reached $3.8 billion, while Chinese visitor numbers rose 23% in the first nine months of the year, a new record.

Tbilisi Update: Rustaveli Avenue’s rehabilitation is expected to finish by the end of November, Mayor Kakha Kaladze says. The city plans to begin restoring buildings along the avenue next year. Tourism Growth: Georgia earned $3.8 billion from international tourism in the first nine months of 2026, up 4.4% year on year. EU and UK visitors spent a record $665 million, while arrivals from China rose 23%. Batumi’s Appeal: A local developer is pitching year-round tourism in Batumi, pointing to rising European demand and planned airport expansion as opportunities for new hospitality and entertainment offerings. Industry Awards: The National Tourism Awards named winners at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre on October 28, with 190 nominees across 35 categories, including new awards for tourism education. Event Tourism: More than 820 athletes from over 60 countries are expected in Tbilisi for the amateur MMA world championships, running November 1–7. Visitor Convenience: Alipay+ has entered Georgia through a partnership with Neo Georgian Bank, offering international visitors—particularly from Asia—more ways to pay by QR code.

Tourism Industry: The National Tourism Awards ceremony takes place today at Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre, with 190 nominees competing across 35 categories focused on hospitality, authentic experiences and innovation. Tourism Revenue: Georgia earned $3.8 billion from international tourism in the first nine months of 2026, up 4.4% year on year; analysts project $4.9 billion for the full year. Growing Asian Market: Chinese visitor numbers rose 23.6% to 119,081 through September, a 15-year record for the period. Visitor Payments: Alipay+ is entering Georgia through Neo Georgian Bank, giving visitors from its partner wallets a new way to pay at local merchants. Events and Access: Tbilisi hosts the amateur MMA World Championships from November 1–7, bringing more than 820 athletes from over 60 countries. Air Astana has also added Batumi to its expanding network from Kazakhstan.

Tourism Revenue: Georgia earned $3.8 billion from international tourism in the first nine months of 2026, up 4.4% year on year. Visitors from the EU and UK spent a record $665.4 million, while Russian visitors remained the largest group by visits and spending. Rising Chinese Arrivals: Georgia welcomed 119,081 visitors from China through September, a 23.6% increase and a 15-year record for the period. New Air Links: Air Astana added Batumi to its routes from Astana, alongside Kutaisi, expanding travel options between Georgia and Kazakhstan. Batumi’s Appeal: The Black Sea city was named Europe’s top year-round destination for a fourth time, reinforcing its growing profile beyond the summer beach season.

Chinese Arrivals: Georgia welcomed 119,081 visitors from China in January–September, up 23.6% year on year and a 15-year record for the period. Overall international visits were nearly unchanged. New Batumi Flights: Air Astana added Batumi to its expanding Astana network, bringing the group’s announced and operating destinations from the capital to 32 and increasing weekly international flights by about 17%. Rugby in Tbilisi: Canada’s men’s team will face Georgia at Avchala Stadium on November 7, giving visiting fans a date to plan around. Tourism Revenue: Georgia earned $1.86 billion from travel in the third quarter, up 11.9% year on year. Batumi’s Appeal: The city was named Europe’s top year-round destination for the fourth time.

Batumi Development: A new consortium of investors, developers and engineers is planning a hospitality and entertainment project in Batumi, with details expected in November. More Routes: Beijing’s winter schedule adds connections via Urumqi to Tbilisi, while Chisinau’s winter network includes direct flights to Tbilisi and Batumi. Travel Growth: Georgia earned $1.864 billion from travel in the third quarter, up 11.9% year over year. Batumi has also been named Europe’s top year-round destination for a fourth time. Visitor Appeal: Georgia is gaining attention among Indian travellers, while its historic architecture, adventure options and wellness offerings are helping broaden its tourism appeal.

Tbilisi Travel: A new photo essay captures the contrast between the city’s long-running pro-European protests and its appeal to visitors drawn by historic streets, post-Soviet character and nearby landscapes. Tourism Revenue: Georgia earned $1.864 billion from travel in the third quarter, up 11.9% year over year. Batumi & Resorts: Batumi was named Europe’s top year-round destination for a fourth time, while a resort in Georgia’s wine region was named the country’s best for 2026. New Connections: Beijing’s winter flight schedule adds routes via Urumqi to Tbilisi; Chisinau’s winter network also includes direct flights to Tbilisi and Batumi.

New Air Links: Beijing Daxing’s winter schedule adds more connections to the Caucasus, with China Southern offering routes to Tbilisi via Urumqi through March 27, 2027. Tourism Revenue: Georgia earned $1.864 billion from travel in the third quarter, up 11.9% year on year. Batumi: The city was named Europe’s top year-round destination for the fourth time, as a planned $250 million beachfront resort adds to its tourism investment pipeline. More to Explore: Georgia is expanding its adventure and wellness offerings, while Tbilisi’s architecture is helping drive the country’s tourism boom.

Travel Earnings: Georgia generated $1.864 billion from travel in the third quarter, up 11.9% year on year. Batumi’s Appeal: The city was named Europe’s top year-round destination for a fourth time. New Ways to Explore: Georgia is broadening its offer with adventure and wellness tourism, while Tbilisi’s architecture is helping fuel the country’s tourism boom. A wine-region resort was also named Georgia’s best for 2026.

Regional Connections: Georgia hosted the first meeting of its foreign minister with counterparts from five Central Asian countries in Batumi, where officials discussed tourism, transport and logistics links. Kyrgyzstan proposed diversifying trade and travel routes. Tourism Revenue: Georgia earned $1.864 billion from travel in the third quarter, up 11.9% year on year. Tskaltubo Revival: Ten Soviet-era sanatoriums are up for auction, including the famed Medea. Buyers must commit millions more to renovations and create guest rooms and facilities. Batumi Appeal: The city was named Europe’s top year-round destination for the fourth time, while Georgia is promoting adventure and wellness travel. New Visitor Interest: Arrivals from Azerbaijan to Georgia increased, adding to signs of growing regional tourism.

Regional Travel Links: Georgia hosted Central Asian foreign ministers in Batumi, where officials discussed tourism and transport ties; Kyrgyzstan also proposed diversifying regional trade routes. Spa Revival: Ten Soviet-era sanatoriums in Tskaltubo are up for auction, including the landmark Medea. Buyers must commit to major renovations, with Medea’s new owner required to invest $24 million and create at least 120 guest rooms. Tourism Earnings: Travel brought Georgia $1.864 billion in the third quarter, up 11.9% year over year. Destination Spotlight: Batumi was named Europe’s top year-round destination for the fourth time.

Regional Links: Georgia hosted Central Asian foreign ministers in Batumi, where talks covered tourism, transport and logistics, including the Middle Corridor linking Asia and Europe. Heritage Tourism: Ten Soviet-era sanatoriums in Tskaltubo are up for auction, but buyers must commit to major renovations and reopen guest rooms, restaurants and conference spaces. Tourism Growth: Georgia earned $1.864 billion from travel in the third quarter, up 11.9% year on year. Destination Appeal: Batumi was named Europe’s top year-round destination for a fourth time, while Georgia is promoting adventure and wellness tourism.

Tskaltubo Revival: Ten Soviet-era sanatoriums are up for auction, including the famed Medea. Its $3.3 million asking price comes with a $24 million renovation commitment and a requirement to create at least 120 guest rooms within five years. Tourism Earnings: Georgia brought in $1.864 billion from travel in the third quarter, up 11.9% year over year. Batumi Appeal: The Black Sea city was named Europe’s top year-round destination for the fourth time, while Georgia is also promoting adventure and wellness tourism.

Batumi Investment: A new market assessment points to tourism growth and expanding hospitality infrastructure as key forces shaping the Black Sea city’s property market. Tbilisi Forum: The Welcome Tbilisi International Forum runs through October 25, bringing together tourism, architecture, gastronomy and creative-industry professionals to discuss the capital’s future. Tourism Revenue: Georgia earned $1.864 billion from travel in the third quarter, up 11.9% year on year. Year-Round Appeal: Batumi has been named Europe’s top year-round destination for the fourth time, while Georgia is promoting mountain adventures, winter sports and wellness retreats. Visitor Essentials: Foreign tourists entering Georgia must carry medical and accident insurance for their full stay, with minimum coverage of 30,000 GEL.