Sofio Darbaidze, co-founder of the travel company Milky Way, criticized the government’s attitude toward the potential suspension of Georgia’s EU visa-free regime, saying that officials should personally experience the long lines, expenses and emotional stress associated with obtaining visas.
Darbaidze said that although the threat of visa liberalization being suspended is not immediate, merely discussing the issue harms the tourism sector. She noted that since talk about possible restrictions began in the summer, sales for destinations requiring visa-free travel have dropped sharply. “Every time this topic resurfaces, customers become hesitant and that immediately affects sales,” she said.
Sharing her recent experience applying for a U.S. visa, Darbaidze described high costs, around 1,200 GEL, and the emotional difficulty many applicants face. She recalled witnessing Georgians crying after receiving refusals, including one woman who pleaded with the consul for reconsideration. “For many people, a visa is indeed something sacred, something they are ready to kneel for,” she said.
Darbaidze warned that if the EU suspends visa-free travel, Georgian citizens will face extensive and costly procedures: document translations, bank statements, property records and more. “The cost of the visa process alone equals the average travel budget for many Georgians,” she said, expressing hope that visa liberalization will not be revoked.
