The post-pandemic labor crisis in Georgia’s hospitality sector is gradually stabilizing, though staffing remains difficult due to demographic decline in regions and strong competition in major cities, according to Inn Group CEO Erekle Kokaia. He told BMGdrive that labor turnover in the industry is a global trend rather than a local anomaly.
Kokaia said the most difficult period came right after the pandemic, when multiple businesses reopened simultaneously and demand for staff surged. He added that the market is now slowly returning to balance, although hiring challenges persist in depopulated regions where workforce availability is limited.
He noted that most companies still train employees internally, as the sector typically requires entry-level staff who develop skills on the job. Hospitality roles, he said, are practical in nature and rely heavily on hands-on experience rather than formal qualifications.
Kokaia also said average wages in the sector have increased, starting from around 1,000 GEL, though hospitality remains relatively low-paying compared to other industries worldwide. He added that salaries are higher in high-demand locations like Gudauri, while competition in cities like Tbilisi keeps wages more moderate.
