Under proposed amendments to Georgia’s “Law on Tourism,” providers of high-risk tourism services—such as mountain guides, ski instructors, and alpine guides - will be subject to a revised mandatory insurance system.
The current legislation requires all high-risk tourism service providers to hold compulsory professional liability insurance, while additional civil liability coverage was to be defined by government decree for certain activities. Under the new proposal, the government will determine through a decree which providers must carry professional liability insurance, civil liability insurance, or both.
According to the explanatory note by ruling “Georgian Dream” MPs, the change is intended to reduce annual insurance costs for small businesses and individual guides. However, for high-risk activities such as alpinism or heli-skiing, requiring both types of insurance could increase operational costs and raise the final price of tourism services.
The amendments also introduce fines of 3,000 GEL for operating without proper insurance or certification, rising to 6,000 GEL for repeated violations. Insurance compliance will become a prerequisite for valid certification. Additionally, high-risk tourism providers will be required to undergo mandatory certification starting June 1, 2026, as part of a broader reform package currently being reviewed by Parliament under an accelerated procedure.
