The possible suspension of Georgia’s visa-free travel with the EU would worsen the already difficult situation in the tourism sector, says Irakli Chigladze, founder of hotel management company KA Group.
“We agree that tourism is already facing challenges, and losing visa-free access will only make things worse,” Chigladze said in an interview with BMGTV.
Founded in 2018, KA Group manages 9 hotels across Georgia and Armenia, including locations in Tbilisi, Gudauri, Bakuriani, Sairme, and Yerevan. Chigladze noted that EU tourists are frequent travelers, and visa restrictions could lead to reduced bookings, forcing both international and local hotel brands to cut prices.
He also highlighted broader issues in the industry, such as small hotels shutting down or converting into office spaces due to unsustainable competition.
“The biggest problem is uncertainty, businesses can’t plan long-term,” Chigladze said, adding that marketing investments often go to waste when unexpected restrictions are introduced.
While hotel occupancy is currently high due to the summer season, Chigladze says the first half of 2025 was weaker than expected, with many hotels underperforming compared to last year.
