The share of high-spending Georgian travelers has increased significantly, and they are mostly choosing exotic and long-haul destinations, according to Levan Osepaishvili, director of the travel company Check-In Travel. He made the remarks on BMGTV’s program “Women’s Narrative.”
According to Osepaishvili, consumer behavior and travel planning strategies have changed significantly in recent years. Georgian travelers now tend to plan their trips well in advance, often between September and November, clearly defining their travel plans, budgets, and goals.
“Consumer behavior has changed a lot. Today, travelers plan in advance where they will go, when, and with what budget. Although Georgia is not a large market and direct flight options are limited, high-spending customers know very well where to save and where to increase spending,” says Levan Osepaishvili.
He explains that travelers often try to reduce expenses on airfare and accommodation, while on-the-ground spending remains high. The director of Check-In Travel also points to global trends, noting that worldwide price increases are affecting travel costs as well, making higher overall expenses inevitable.
“Prices increase year after year, and this directly affects travelers. Airfare and hotel costs may decrease at certain stages, but overall spending still rises. However, with early booking, the cost of a tour per person can start from as low as 2,000 GEL. The final price depends on the selected hotel, destination, and demand,” Osepaishvili notes.
He also highlights a sharp rise in demand for high-budget and exotic destinations such as Doha, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Maldives. “If these destinations were less popular before, the picture has changed radically today. Thailand has already become one of the most in-demand destinations, while Vietnam is rapidly gaining popularity. Despite the high cost of airfare, this does not deter high-spending Georgian travelers,” says the director of Check-In Travel.
