Tourism revenues from Israel and Iran to Georgia declined significantly in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting the early impact of regional geopolitical tensions. Iranian visitor numbers fell by 49% to 13,757, while arrivals from Israel decreased by 17.5% to 66,744, according to official data.
The National Bank reports that Israel tourists spent $98.9 million, down 13% year-on-year, while Iranian visitor spending dropped sharply by 64% to just $10 million. In contrast, Saudi Arabian arrivals rose by 36% to 8,862 visitors, with spending increasing 48% to $12.9 million, although future quarters may reflect broader regional effects.
Despite declines in some markets, growth from the European Union helped stabilize overall performance. EU visitor numbers increased by 30% to 96,226, with spending rising 36% to $140.7 million, partially offsetting losses from the Middle East.
Overall, Georgia recorded 1.17 million visitors in Q1 2026, a slight 0.2% annual decline, while tourism revenues grew marginally by 0.5% to $830 million, indicating relative resilience in the sector despite regional volatility.
