China remains a strategic market for Georgia, with visitor numbers and air traffic continuing to expand, Deputy Economy Minister Tamar Ioseliani said. Speaking on Georgian Public Broadcaster, she highlighted growing tourism, aviation, and transport links between the two countries.
Ioseliani said the introduction of visa-free travel played a key role in restoring connectivity after the pandemic. Three Chinese airlines, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern, now operate in the Georgian market. Air China and China Southern currently serve Beijing via Urumqi, while China Eastern will launch Shanghai–Tbilisi–Shanghai flights three times a week starting July 15.
According to the deputy minister, China is one of Georgia’s strategic tourism markets and currently ranks eighth among source countries by visitor arrivals. Passenger traffic between the two countries has increased by around 200% since 2023, while first-quarter 2026 traffic rose by approximately 40% year-on-year. Georgia’s Tourism Administration also promoted the country at the ITB China tourism exhibition in May.
Ioseliani said cargo transportation between China and Georgia is also showing strong growth, supported by the Middle Corridor trade route. Freight volumes on the corridor increased by about 19% last year, and Georgia is working with its railway and transport infrastructure operators to strengthen its role as a reliable and efficient transit partner linking China with international markets.
