MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Irakli Nadareishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and Maia Omiadze, Head of the National Tourism Administration, presented the interim results of the tourism industry for 2025 and plans for 2026 to private sector representatives. The meeting was co-organized by the Business Association of Georgia (BAG).

At the meeting with the BAG members, Irakli Nadareishvili emphasized the importance and necessity of dialogue and cooperation with the private sector across various directions in the process of developing the tourism industry. As the Deputy Minister noted, tourism is a particularly inclusive sector that makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy as a whole.

“The development of the tourism sector is our major priority. The tourism industry accounts for approximately 10% of Georgia’s GDP and 9% of employment and furthermore, tourism accounts for almost 60% of service exports. It is a particularly inclusive field that plays a immense role in the development of small and micro-entrepreneurship, as well as the regions. Significant work has been carried out in recent years toward sector development, and today Georgia truly has its place on the world map and enjoys international recognition. Our country has become an attractive destination, including for many countries where we were previously unknown” – Irakli Nadareishvili stated.

The Deputy Minister also drew attention to the economic sectors that influence the dynamics of tourism growth, including the aviation sector.

“Today, over 70 airlines operate in Georgia, providing flights to more than 120 direct destinations worldwide, which contributes to the development of tourism. Supporting business is also vital, and we are actively working toward this – through the programs of the Enterprise Georgia Agency, 614 hotel projects have been supported in recent years, representing a supported investment portfolio of 1,3 billion GEL, as well as 270 restaurant facilities, totaling approximately 250 million GEL in investment” – Irakli Nadareishvili noted.

Irakli Nadareishvili placed special emphasis on the importance of the Enterprise Georgia Agency’s business support programs in facilitating of the tourism growth.

It was also announced at the meeting that Georgia will be the official host country of ITB Shanghai 2026, one of Asia’s largest tourism exhibitions.

According to statistical data presented at the meeting, based on the figures from the first three quarters of 2025, the country received record revenue of 3,6 billion USD from international tourism, which is a +5,1% increase compared to the same period of 2024. The nine-month figure for tourist visits is also record-breaking equaling to 4,3 million, which is an increase by +7,9% compared to the previous year.