Restaurant owner and founder of “Chveni”, Guram Bagdoshvili, says the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is directly affecting Georgia’s restaurant and hospitality sector. Speaking on “Business Course”, he noted that due to suspended flights and regional instability, tourist inflows have noticeably decreased both in winter resorts and in Tbilisi.
According to him, the decline is not limited to visitors from the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. European tourists are also reconsidering travel plans amid security concerns linked to the broader regional conflict. Bagdoshvili explains that even minor unrest often deters travelers, and a military conflict occurring roughly 1,000 kilometers away prompts even greater caution.
He believes winter resorts suffered significant financial losses this season, with visibly fewer foreign tourists in the capital as well, aside from travelers from northern neighboring countries and resident expats. This downturn inevitably impacts restaurant occupancy and revenues.
Bagdoshvili adds that Georgia’s association with major regional energy infrastructure, such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline, further heightens traveler concerns. As a result, hotel occupancy in Tbilisi is low, and mountain resorts such as Gudauri, Bakuriani, and Goderdzi have faced notable economic setbacks. He warns that many businesses may struggle next year because this season’s revenue will not be sufficient to cover their annual expenses.
