Batumi was busy with tourists in July and August despite poor weather, with Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Israel remaining the main visitor markets. However, no significant increase in arrivals from Europe, particularly Western Europe, was recorded this year.
Tourism expert Temur Diasamidze says that while visitor numbers and bookings increased, tourist spending declined by around 9-10%. He attributes this to shorter stays, lower spending, and the city’s growing dependence on a limited number of source markets, despite rising accommodation and service prices.
Diasamidze says Batumi’s key challenges are seasonality, insufficient infrastructure, and a limited range of tourism products. He believes the city has particular potential to attract more visitors from Israel and other international markets.
To extend the tourist season, he recommends developing business, sports, and medical tourism in cooperation with the private sector. Diasamidze also noted that Batumi currently lacks a dedicated convention center needed to support MICE tourism.
