Airbnb load in Georgia was 36% in January. The National Tourism Administration releases the information, which notes that according to new data from the international booking platform Airbnb, the occupancy rate of registered accommodation facilities on the platform in Georgia has increased in January 2025.
According to the same information, the growth is 2.8% higher compared to the previous year.
"According to the international platform's research, Tbilisi's occupancy rate stood at 38%, growth was 6.4% higher compared to the previous year. As of January 2025, there are 11,291 accommodation facilities registered on Airbnb's platform in Georgia, with almost half - 5,167 properties - located in Tbilisi," - states the released report.
It should be noted that at the press conference held at the Government Administration of Georgia on February 24, Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili noted that one of the challenges lies in supply and demand, which was partly due to the increased number of beds. The minister said that competition between Airbnb and hotels is also a challenge for industry representatives.
"Therefore, hotel facilities might have certain dissatisfaction, but this has its explanation," - stated Davitashvili.
Regarding this issue, BM.GE contacted Nika Anjaparidze, the founder of Wehost, the managing company of Airbnb in Georgia. In his assessment, when there are no tourists in the country, focusing on competition between Airbnb and hotels is not relevant.
"Airbnb has been in competition with the hotel sector from the beginning, but what's happening now cannot be blamed on Airbnb. It's just an excuse. There are no tourists, so what does Airbnb have to do with it," - says Anjaparidze.
The WeHost founder also evaluates the current season and says that bookings have dropped in Tbilisi this season and apartments are being rented out at minimal prices. With the hope that someone will still rent the apartment under low-price conditions.
