Tour prices for foreign visitors have doubled, while discounted rates for students have been abolished at the Abastumani Observatory.
According to guide Ana Tabatadze, the price adjustment had been under consideration for some time, as foreign tourist groups were previously organized separately and served directly by observatory guides. She also linked the changes to new regulations affecting foreign tour guides operating in Georgia.
Under the updated pricing structure, foreign visitors now pay 20 GEL instead of 10 GEL for a daytime tour, while the nighttime tour price has increased from 20 GEL to 40 GEL. At the same time, students will now pay the same rate as Georgian adults: 10 GEL for daytime tours and 20 GEL for nighttime tours. Prices for Georgian citizens remain unchanged.
Tabatadze noted that foreign guides are no longer permitted to independently lead groups. Under the new rules, foreign guides without proper documentation can only act as interpreters, while tours are led by certified bilingual Georgian guides.
“Foreign guides can no longer lead groups independently. Under the new regulation, they can only act as translators, while our guides conduct the tours,” she said.
The changes come amid recent amendments to Georgia’s labor migration law, which took effect on May 1. The revised legislation bans foreigners without permanent residence permits from working as guides, couriers, or taxi drivers. Authorities have introduced a zero quota policy for these professions, effectively closing them to foreign workers. Violations are subject to fines for both employers and individuals.
