Former head of the National Tourism Administration and managing partner of the Welcome to Georgia project, Maia Sidamonidze, says she hopes Georgia’s visa-free travel with the European Union will not be suspended. Speaking on BMGTV, she warned that such a move would be a “big blow” for citizens and the tourism industry alike.
According to Sidamonidze, visa-free travel gives Georgians the opportunity to move freely without additional bureaucracy and financial burdens, while travel companies and airlines also rely heavily on it. “Leading agencies that bring income to the budget will be affected. Suspension would also harm Wizz Air, because if passenger flow decreases, the airline’s business interest in the region will also decline,” she explained.
The former tourism chief noted that Georgia’s tourism sector has faced significant challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic. “The industry has not had time to fully recover, because turbulent phases are very frequent in the country. It is difficult for businesses to operate under such circumstances,” she said.
Sidamonidze emphasized that stability is key for growth. “We need a stable business environment and an open economy. We don’t want isolation, we don’t want closure. Georgia must remain a democratic state that provides the conditions necessary for business development,” she concluded.
