Lopota Spa Resort’s commercial director, Maka Glighvashvili, says the hotel’s occupancy during the off-season in Kakheti has dropped by 5–10%. She notes that winter is traditionally a weak period for the region, but this year the decline is mostly linked to reduced activity from local tourism groups and nongovernmental organizations, which previously generated significant demand through trainings and seminars.
Glighvashvili explains that many NGOs and international organizations either no longer operate at the same scale or have lost funding, leading to fewer corporate events in Kakheti. As a result, several hotels in the region are facing low occupancy, and some have even closed during the low season.
Despite the challenges, Lopota Spa Resort is less affected because international tourism helps offset the decline in local demand. According to Glighvashvili, the resort finished 2025 with strong results, especially during the high season.
In terms of international visitors, Israel has become the leading market for Lopota over the past two years, replacing Gulf countries. Overall, 45–50% of bookings still come from Georgian guests, while the remainder is split between visitors from Israel, the Gulf states, and CIS countries.
