Analysis
In accordance with the statement of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia, the number of tourists [in 2019] has exceeded nine million. However, the aforementioned figure corresponds to the number of international travellers instead of tourist visits. As compared to 2018, the number of tourists in 2019 increased by 6.8% and reached five million.
Table 1: Statistics of International Travel to Georgia
|
Type of Visit |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Visits of International Travellers |
5,734,898 |
5,888,709 |
6,305,635 |
6,719,975 |
7,902,509 |
8,679,544 |
9,357,964 |
|
International Visitors |
4,954,448 |
5,004,331 |
5,255,999 |
5,392,816 |
6,482,830 |
7,203,350 |
7,725,774 |
|
Tourist Visit |
2,884,295 |
2,938,892 |
3,011,663 |
3,297,275 |
4,069,354 |
4,756,820 |
5,080,478 |
|
Overnight Visit |
2,070,153 |
2,065,439 |
2,244,336 |
2,095,541 |
2,413,476 |
2,446,530 |
2,645,296 |
|
Other (non-tourist) |
780,450 |
884,378 |
1,049,636 |
1,327,159 |
1,419,679 |
1,476,194 |
1,632,190 |
Source: Georgian National Tourism Administration
Aninternational travelleris anon-resident[1]individual of any age who travels to different geographic areas for any duration and aim. This category incorporates tourists, as well as individuals who used Georgia as a transit country and migrants (who stay in a country for more than six months not for tourism, but for the purposes of education, employment, family reunion etc).
International visitorsare Georgia’s non-resident travellers of age 15 or older, who accomplished visit from their area of residence to Georgia, whilst atouristis a visitor who spent at least one night in Georgia’s territory. Of note is that using the aforementioned categories as synonyms is a widespread mistake. For instance, see FactCheck’s research.
[1]An individual who did not reside on the territory of Georgia for more than 182 days in any 12-month period at the end of a tax year and he has not been in the public service of Georgia abroad.
