A number of tourism sector representatives have raised several concerns during a working meeting with the head of the National Tourism Administration. Among these concerns, the issue of deferring property tax payments in the event of continued war in the Middle East was highlighted. Paata Kokaia, the founder of Inn Group, shared the group's stance with BMG, emphasizing the financial strain that ongoing conflicts can impose on the tourism sector.
Kokaia explained that, if the war in the Middle East persists, the issue of deferring property tax payments will inevitably need to be addressed. He pointed out that his company alone is required to pay one million Lari in property taxes in June. "The tourism sector is already facing significant challenges, and with each hotel being burdened with over 100,000 Lari in property taxes, it becomes crucial that this issue is reconsidered, especially if the war continues," Kokaia noted. He further added that his company’s tax obligations for June alone are expected to reach a substantial amount.
Additionally, the meeting also touched upon a request to reduce the price of cable car rides in Gudauri, a popular resort area. The National Tourism Administration swiftly responded to the request, agreeing to reduce the cable car prices by half within a single day. “There’s been a fantastic ski season in Gudauri, yet the number of visitors has been lower than expected. We asked the Tourism Administration to reduce the cable car price by half, and they agreed promptly. From today, tourists in Gudauri will be able to use the cable cars at half the price," Kokaia explained.
Kokaia further emphasized that, in the event of continued conflict, it would be of immense help to the tourism industry if property tax payments could be deferred or even cancelled for one year, mirroring the relief measures provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We have received assurances from the Tourism Administration that they will raise the matter with the government in June if the war continues. This deferral would be a great relief for the industry," Kokaia concluded.
