According to Galt & Taggart Georgia’s tourism sector is growing rapidly, G&T notes that thanks to the visa-free travel arrangements in place with over 100 countries, its rich culture, its improved accessibility and services, and general human curiosity. Georgia has managed to gain popularity in the world tourist marketplace rapidly; National Geographic recently included Tbilisi in its top 10 places to visit in 2018 and the Lonely Planet travel guide named Georgia as one of its top 10 destinations for 2018.
In line with global trends, tourism has flourished in Georgia through regional and global headwinds over the last decade. Tourism revenues posted an impressive CAGR of 22.4% in 2008-17 to reach a record high of US$ 2.8bn in 2017 – an increase of 27.0% y/y. As a result, tourism revenues to GDP increased more than 5x during 2008-17 to 18.1% from 3.5%, respectively. The share of tourism exports rose to 35.9% of total goods and services exports in 2017 from 12.1% in 2008.
