Non-resident cashless spending in Georgia's key tourism regions returned to positive growth in May 2026, following a weaker performance in April, according to TBC Capital's report. Based on TBC Bank's POS and e-commerce transaction data, total non-resident cashless spending increased by 30% year-on-year, while the number of transactions rose by 32%.
In Tbilisi, spending recovered moderately, with positive annual growth recorded in both hotels and restaurants. Cashless spending by non-residents increased by 24% in hotels and 38% in restaurants. The report also notes that hotel spending growth was accompanied by an increase in average transaction values.
Adjara also returned to growth, driven primarily by stronger hotel spending. Cashless expenditures by non-residents rose 38% in hotels and 13% in restaurants. However, despite the increase in total spending, the average transaction size declined in both categories compared to the previous year.
In Kakheti, restaurant spending recorded the strongest growth among the regions covered by the report, rising 43% year-on-year, while hotel spending increased by 23%. TBC Capital notes that the decline in average transaction values suggests the increase was largely driven by a higher number of transactions, with May's results pointing to positive momentum ahead of the summer tourism season.
