Erekle Kokaia, Executive Director of Inn Group Hotels, reports that bookings at their Gudauri hotel have already reached 80% for the season. The majority of reservations come from Israel and the Gulf countries, with Lithuania representing the largest share from Europe. Kokaia notes that individual travelers are now more common than the group tours that previously dominated.
According to Kokaia, the number of tourists is more important than their spending power. “Last year, there was strong demand for both very low-budget and 5-star hotels, while mid-range accommodation facilities suffered. It’s not that 10 wealthy guests are better than 100 average ones, the larger number of visitors creates more jobs and benefits the local economy,” he said.
Hotel prices in Gudauri are expected to rise 10% to 20% this season, translating to about 50-60 GEL per night for a double room. Kokaia emphasizes that despite price increases, attracting a higher volume of visitors is crucial for the sector’s growth and sustainability.
Infrastructure and environmental issues remain a challenge for the resort. Kokaia highlights the urgent need for a bypass road to reduce traffic on main roads, protect the environment, and enhance safety. Additionally, pedestrian paths are still lacking, limiting accessibility for visitors and creating logistical problems for hotel operations.
