Georgia’s tourism sector continues to face infrastructure challenges, including a lack of Georgian-language information boards, guides, trails, signage and sanitary facilities at historical and cultural sites. Industry representatives say these shortcomings negatively affect visitors’ experiences and, ultimately, the country’s tourism image.
Lasha Berekashvili, Director of the Young Guides Association and Travel to Georgia, said it is often difficult to find historical or medieval sites with clear and comprehensive information in Georgian. He cited Zarzma as an example, where a Russian-language information sign is still in place. According to him, many tourist sites also lack functioning guides, signs and trails, while older infrastructure installed with support from organizations such as UNESCO and GIZ needs renovation.
Sanitary facilities remain another unresolved issue, he said, particularly as visitor numbers increase and existing infrastructure struggles to cope with demand. Berekašvili also cited a recent incident in Mestia, where an information sign reportedly fell on one of his colleagues. He said local officials explained that the structure had been installed 14 years ago and that no one could take responsibility for its current condition.
Another concern involves tourist transportation in mountainous regions. According to Berekašvili, guides and drivers are sometimes pressured to use local transport when taking visitors to certain areas, with disputes and even alleged threats or physical confrontations occurring in some cases. He said ensuring tourists’ safety, comfortable transportation and a positive experience should be a priority, arguing that increased tourism should benefit local communities rather than create additional conflicts.
