TBC Research: number of Russian tourists in Georgia reduces by 21.4%

After the ban on direct flights between Russia and Georgia, the number of Russian tourists in Georgia decreased by 21.4% in comparison with 2018. Of the tourists, almost 80% refused to travel by planes, reports the study conducted by TBC Research.

According to Mariam Kvrivishvili, the head of the National Tourism Administration of Georgia, this year, the flow of tourists from Russia will decrease by about a million people and that will bring the loss to the Georgian economy in the amount of 710 million US dollars.

In general, in the second half of July, 21.4% more Russian citizens than last year decided not to go to Georgia, the "Georgia Online" reports.

Russian citizens can replace trips to Georgia with travelling to resorts of Northern Caucasus, believes Mikhail Degtyaryov, a member of the Russian State Duma.

"The resorts of Northern Caucasus are wonderful, modern, and inexpensive," said Mikhail Degtyaryov as quoted by the RIA "Novosti".

Many Russian tourists did not cancel their trips to Georgia after the recent events, noted people interviewed by the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta".

The Koval family from Russia never met ill will in Tbilisi. Tourist Konstantin has said that religion will help him to find understanding with Georgians, since they are also Orthodox Christians.

One of the guides noted that several tourists from Russia still cancelled their trips to Georgia "because of the situation in the country."