The number of tourists visiting Batumi this summer surpassed last year’s figures, with strong demand from Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf countries, India, and China, according to tourism and real estate expert Temur Diasamidze.
He noted that the rise in arrivals was partly driven by an increase in flights to Batumi Airport, making the city more accessible. However, despite the growth in visitor numbers, revenues in the tourism sector have declined.
“Batumi became a two-month tourist destination in July and August. The brands and hotels were fully loaded, but there were fewer spending visitors compared to last year. Revenues decreased, and the problem is linked to pricing,” Diasamidze said.
One of the key issues, he explained, is the oversupply of apartments. With a growing number of flats available for rent, prices have dropped significantly. “Today, you can rent an apartment for USD 30, which I think, if the approach does not change, will create an even bigger problem in the future,” he warned.
Diasamidze emphasized that the profile of visitors is shifting, with tourists expecting a wider variety of services beyond hotels and restaurants. He criticized Batumi for failing to diversify its offerings over the past decade, noting that this limits the city’s ability to attract higher-spending visitors.
“The state must create conditions that make the city more interesting for business, including developing MICE tourism [meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions]. This is one of the directions that should be prioritized,” Diasamidze said.
