The Chairman of the Tourism Sector Workers’ Union, Giorgi Tetradze, says the state should return the 40 GEL registration fee paid by guides after a last-minute change made the registration voluntary and free of charge. He made the statement in an interview with BMG.
According to Tetradze, until June 1, guide registration in the economic activity registry under a specific code was mandatory and subject to a 40 GEL fee. However, just days before the deadline expired, the Tourism Administration changed the rule, making registration voluntary and free of charge.
He argues that thousands of citizens who followed the original requirement and paid the fee were left unfairly treated. “It turned out that those who did not pay were right, while those who acted in good faith were effectively misled,” Tetradze said, adding that the money should be returned as a matter of fairness and to restore trust in state institutions.
Tetradze also noted that while the initial registration plan was intended to provide an accurate picture of employment in the tourism sector, the late change damaged confidence in the process. Mandatory guide registration is still ongoing at the Tourism Administration, with a deadline set until 2027, after which unregistered guides will face fines.
