As winter approaches, hoteliers in Georgia’s mountain regions are increasingly concerned about the lack of state communication and support. Ekaterine Gvelesiani, founder and manager of Hotel Paliani in Mestia, told BMG TV that despite repeated challenges in past years, there has been “no sound from anywhere” regarding preparations for the upcoming winter tourist season.
“We already know not to have high expectations for winter. We will likely face the same problems again - electricity outages, road issues, and a lack of infrastructure improvements. Nothing is being done to address these challenges,” Gvelesiani said, adding that earlier government promises of a more organized winter season have not materialized.
According to her, while bookings are coming in from Israel, Belarus, and Russia, demand remains weak.
“Reservations are being made, but in small numbers. Currently, our occupancy rate is only about 10%, which is very low for this time of year,” she noted. Gvelesiani said hotels are trying to prepare independently, installing generators and stocking up on fuel, but these efforts cannot solve systemic problems, especially when electricity shortages caused by mining operations lead to mass booking cancellations.
The hotel owner also criticized the lack of a seasonal tourism strategy in Georgia. “In other countries, tourism growth is achieved by attracting visitors during less busy periods, but here, we see overtourism in peak months and almost no activity in the off-season. It’s a pity because Svaneti is stunning in the fall, yet there’s no marketing, no campaigns to promote it,” Gvelesiani concluded.
