tourism in georgia statistics

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Tourism Statistics in Georgia

Tourism in georgia.

Georgia, stretching from the shores of the Black Sea to the snowy peaks of the Caucasus Mountains , has been hosting more and more tourists from numerous countries of the world. While 6,305,635 international travelers came to Georgia in 2015, which was a new record at the time, the number of travelers in 2019 reached 9,357,964. When the pandemic struck in 2020, in Georgia and the rest of the world, the tourism industry ground to a near-complete halt. Many people working in this sector were left jobless, and some businesses went bankrupt. However, in 2022, the sector has enjoyed a revival, with 5,426,903 travelers coming to Georgia representing 58% of the amount for the entire year of 2019 in which the record was set.

Geographical Origin of Tourists

Streams of tourists come to Georgia from its neighboring countries as well as from further afield. Georgia receives a substantial number of Azerbaijani, Armenian, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Russian tourists. In addition, EU citizens are starting to visit in greater numbers, as well as Israelis and Japanese. 

The most popular destinations in Georgia are the capital city of Tbilisi and the coastal region of Adjara (and particularly its captivating port city of Batumi). In the first half of 2022, a total of 820,500 tourists visited Tbilisi, and 548,400 tourists visited Adjara (despite the summer season not having started by that point). In the period from July to September, the number of visitors to Batumi, and to Adjara region as a whole increased substantially.

Tourists also travel in significant numbers to the mountainous locations of Svaneti , Tusheti, Khevsureti, and Kazbegi as well. Interest is also high among tourists in the regions of Imereti, Kakheti , Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli, and Guria. 

Tourist Seasons

Georgia attracts tourists all-year-round, but the trends in terms of places visited vary from one season to the next. 

During the winter, tourists are drawn to the ski slopes of Gudauri , Bakuriani, Mestia , and Goderdzi.

During fall, the western region of Kakheti is especially attractive to tourists, as the grapes are harvested and the 8,000-year-old tradition of Georgian wine-making continues.

During the summer, tourists flock to either the shores of the Black Sea, or up to the cooler climes of Georgia’s high mountains.

So, as soon as you find time for a vacation, come to Georgia, whatever the time of year, where wonderful memories are waiting to be made.

Tourism in Georgia

Development of the tourism sector in georgia from 1995 to 2021.

Revenues from tourism

All data for Georgia in detail

• 8 Most Inviting Towns in Georgia

Georgia , known as the Peach State, has deep roots, a rich history, and stunning landscapes ranging from the Blue Ridge Mountains to its coastal beaches. Renowned for its southern hospitality, Georgia is also home to charming small towns steeped in tradition, from the Bavarian-inspired village of Helen to the antebellum beauty of Madison to Milledgeville's Southern charm and literary legacy. Enjoy hiking through picturesque landscapes, strolling down cobblestone streets, or joining in local festivals; Georgia's historic towns offer an enriching experience for every traveler.

Lookout Mountain

The small tourist town of Lookout Mountain spans Georgia and Tennessee , with attractions on both sides, and offers a wide range of activities for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and families. Key attractions include the 4,100-foot walking trail known as Rock City Gardens, which opened in 1932 and whose vision statement includes “Created by God and enhanced by man.” Visitors can explore scenic trails and massive rock formations and walk across a suspension bridge. Families with children will love the fairy-tale dioramas in Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village. From Lover’s Leap—a rock that juts out from the side of the mountain—visitors can apparently see views of seven states: Tennesee, Kentucky, Virginia , South Carolina , North Carolina , Georgia, and Alabama .

Cloudland Canyon State Park is one of the largest parks in Georgia, located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain. It is a hiker’s paradise with 64 miles of popular trails like Overlook Trail, West Rim Loop Trail, and Waterfalls Trail. The park is also home to 1,000-foot-deep canyons, wild caves, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. Other activities include mountain biking and horseback riding trails, disc golf, geocaching, a pond for fishing, and cave tours. Visitors wanting to stay overnight have many options, including backcountry camping, fully-equipped cottages, and quirky yurts.

Along the banks of the Etowah River, Rome is a pretty town known for its historic architecture, vibrant downtown, and ample outdoor recreation opportunities. Rome is home to Berry College, one of the world's largest campuses, known for its stunning architecture and expansive gardens inspired by the Neo-Gothic architecture of Oxford University in the United Kingdom . The campus features attractions like Oak Hill and The Martha Berry Museum, which are dedicated to Berry College's founder.

Two significant landmarks in downtown Rome are not to be missed: the Capitoline Wolf with Romulus and Remus, an exact replica of the statue in Rome , Italy , and the Clocktower. The Clocktower, built in 1871, is synonymous with the town of Rome and has been keeping time for over a century. It also houses a small museum showcasing the tower's history and city. Visitors can climb the 109 steps to the top for panoramic views of Rome and the surrounding area.

Just east of the capital city of Atlanta , Decatur is a vibrant and historic city offering a host of cultural, culinary, and natural attractions. The iconic Decatur Square is the heart of the town, hosting events and festivals like the annual Decatur Arts Festival and the Decatur Book Festival, which returns on October 4 - 5, 2024. In June, the square will also host a National Pollinator Week Festival in honor of being the only city in Georgia named a “Bee City, USA.” Decatur Square is 15 city blocks and is all walkable; in fact, the city of Decatur is only 4.6 square miles. Historic landmarks include the Old Courthouse on the Square, now known as the DeKalb History Center Museum, and the landmark Decatur Cemetery—the city’s largest green space—in which politicians, musicians, soldiers from the American Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts, and even a controversial poet, Thomas Holley Chivers who claimed Edgar Allan Poe stole “The Raven” from him, are buried.

Decatur’s thriving arts scene includes galleries such as the Sycamore Place Gallery and Eddie's Attic, a renowned music venue once a springboard for artists like John Mayer, Sugarland, and Justin Bieber. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the 2,550-acre Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, which features incredible granite rock outcroppings, wetlands, creeks, and oak forests on miles of hiking trails and a multi-use bike trail.

Milledgeville

Once the former state capital, Milledgeville radiates Southern charm and history. With its well-preserved architecture, including antebellum mansions and Victorian buildings, and the town’s landmark building, the Old Governor's Mansion—a prime example of High Greek Revival architecture which is open to the public with guided tours provided by student docents of Georgia College & State University. Fans of the American southern gothic writing style will want to visit Andalusia, the historic farm where author Flannery O'Connor lived from 1951-1964. and wrote two novels and 32 short stories, and still hosts the Flannery O’Connor birthday celebration every year. Other historical landmarks to visit include the Lockerly Arboretum, which features a stunning botanical garden of native and ornamental plants, and the historic Rose Hill mansion, another example of the Greek Revival style popular in the state in the mid-1880s.

Take a break from the architectural tour with an outdoor excursion to Lake Sinclair, an artificial lake encompassing 15,3000 acres of coves and open water. The lake offers bass fishing from the bank, pier, or boat and water sports rentals from Sinclair Wild Watersports, which has everything from pontoon boats to jet skis to stand-up paddle boards. Après jet ski, grab a table at Taylor’s Cove and enjoy lake views over drinks and live music on weekends.

Thomasville

Thomasville, also known as the City of Roses, is another Georgia town that captivates visitors with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural scene. The Thomasville Rose Garden showcases an incredible variety of 1,500 rose bushes that bloom from April to July. For over 100 years, the town has also hosted the annual Rose Show and Festival, celebrating Thomasville's legacy as the City of Roses with flower exhibits, garden tours, live music, and family-friendly activities. Next door to the garden, Cherokee Lake Park is the perfect place to unwind and smell the flowers on its mile-long walking trail around a lake.

The town’s historic downtown area has a mix of eclectic eateries and charming boutiques. Shop local at Kevin’s Fine Outdoor Gear and Apparel, Firefly for one-of-a-kind gifts, Sensoree for health, beauty, and skincare products, and The Bookshelf. Enjoy fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico (only an hour and a half away) at St. James, George & Louie’s, or Jonah’s, renowned for its famous shrimp and grits.

Learn about Southern plantation life with a visit to Pebble Hill Plantation, a historic estate showcasing collections of American and British Sporting Art, fine furnishings, and decorative art. The Main House was originally built in 1825 but has been restored since. The Stable Complex is home to vintage carriages and the Pebble Hill horses.

Blue Ridge is in the Chattahoochee National Forest and is a slice of heaven for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking small-town charm. With the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains providing a stunning backdrop, visitors who love nature will enjoy activities like hiking on part of the 300-mile-long Benton MacKaye Trail—81.8 miles of which are in Georgia. Hikers will discover Long Creek Falls, Falls Branch Falls, and the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River . The nearby Toccoa River offers excellent trout fishing and paddling along the Toccoa River Canoe Trail, while the Ocoee River is perfect for whitewater rafting. For a family-friendly adventure, ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. This nostalgic 4-hour, 26-mile roundtrip journey through the Georgia countryside offers scenic views of mountains, rivers, and forests.

The downtown area is filled with specialty shops, breweries, art galleries, and restaurants. Wander down Main Street, browse Huck’s General Store, which sells a little bit of everything, or pick up some fishing gear at Oyster Bamboo, where Jimmy Carter liked to shop. For dinner, reserve a table at Harvest on Main for locally sourced ingredients, seasonal veggies, and craft beer.

Georgia may seem a long way away from the country of Germany , but not for visitors to Helen. With only about 622 full-time residents and 2.1 square miles, and modeled after a Bavarian alpine village, Helen is nestled in the North Georgia mountains. Visitors can explore cobblestone streets with half-timbered buildings, colorful facades, and flower-filled window boxes reminiscent of a German fairy tale (minus the ghastly ending). Main Street offers a variety of shops where visitors can find unique gifts like German cuckoo clocks and beer steins at Bavarian Clockworks, as well as locally crafted Christmas ornaments, nesting dolls, and snow globes at The Christmas Shoppe.

Helen is also home to vibrant events and festivals, including the famous Oktoberfest, which runs from September 5 through October 27, 2024, and is the longest-running Oktoberfest celebration in the U.S. But visitors don’t have to wait until October to enjoy authentic Bavarian cuisine. The Heidelberg, a three-story German restaurant, pub, and newly-renovated music hall, was the first German restaurant to open in Helen, and today still serves its famous pretzels, bratwurst, schnitzel, and beer.

Madison is a picturesque town in Georgia's historic heartland, renowned for its well-preserved antebellum homes and manicured gardens. The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center is housed in a restored 1895 Romanesque Revival building in Madison, which, along with several other cities, including Milledgeville, Athens , and Washington , make up Georgia's “Historic Heartland.” The Madison History Museum displays a rich array of exhibits and artifacts that showcase the town's historical and cultural heritage and strategic importance during the Civil War. Examples of well-preserved Greek Revival-style mansions include the Joshua Hill House and Rogers House. Heritage tourism is a big industry in Madison, so be sure to look into guided walking tours, historic home tours, and carriage rides to learn more about the town's Civil War history and its prominent residents.

Visit Madison's town square, surrounded by quaint shops, boutiques, cafés, and restaurants housed in historic storefronts. Stroll along brick-paved streets, browse antique shops like Madison Antiques Market & Interiors and J&K Fleas An’Tiques, and stop at local eateries like Oconee Coffee Roasters.

Each of these eight inviting towns is a tribute to Georgia’s distinctive charm, well-preserved architecture, and rich history. With a mix of Southern hospitality, cultural attractions, and outdoor activities, each town is ideal for visitors seeking picturesque settings and engaging experiences. From historic landmarks and scenic landscapes to vibrant downtowns and annual festivals, these towns extend Georgia’s open invitation to visit.

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A gastronomic guide to Georgia — the country's best wineries and restaurants

Georgia is fast earning its adventure travel stripes, with world-class hiking and off-piste skiing in the Greater Caucasus mountains. However, it's the country's vineyards and kitchens that are really stealing the show with their local wines and field-to-fork cuisine.

Vibrant and varied, Georgia’s cuisine reflects its location at the intersection of Europe and Asia on the eastern shore of the Black Sea. The country has a dozen climatic zones, ranging from subtropical to high alpine and semi-desert, which provide a bounty of produce, including 500 indigenous grape varieties. Food is lovingly made using centuries-old cooking techniques, including fragrant stews, bright salads and earthy soups, as well as a wealth of regional dishes. A sense of generosity underpins every meal — whether it’s at a family-run vineyard where free-pouring and zealous toasting are the norm, or at a restaurant where the table often ends up three-plates deep. Sample the flavours of the country with these wining-and-dining experiences.

From grape to glass

In Manavi, near Georgia’s capital city Tbilisi, family-owned Giuaani is an independent winery that traces its origins back to 1894, when its first qvevri (clay winemaking vessels) were placed in the ground. Head winemaker Giorgi Jmukhadze uses them in tandem with oak barrels and steel tanks, so you can compare traditional Georgian and more familiar European-style wines. Wine flights feature khikhvi, a classic dry amber wine (also known as orange wine), and an upbeat rosé that blends cabernet sauvignon and tavkveri grapes.

For a more immersive wine experience, take a tour of the Kvareli Wine Cave in the Kakheti region of eastern Georgia. Operated by Khareba , one of the country’s largest commercial wineries, it’s made up of a four-and-a-half-mile-long network of tunnels, hewn from the foothills of the Greater Caucasus on the eastern side of the Alazani Valley. The complex was originally constructed for military purposes during the Cold War, but now the stable 12-16C temperatures provide ideal conditions for ageing and storing wine. A guided tour of the space and its 25,000-strong collection of bottles culminates with a tasting.

In the small city of Ambrolauri, around 150 miles north west of Tbilisi in the mountainous Racha region, a giant wine bottle statue towering over the main intersection is your first hint of the drink’s importance to this part of the country. Its label reads ‘Khvanchkara’, the region’s syrupy-sweet, darkly-coloured red wine made from aleksandrouli and mujuretuli grapes. Stalin confiscated the wine from its original creators, the noble Kipiani family, in order to manufacture it en masse. Today, winery Royal Khvanchkara has recovered a Stalin-era factory to take the Kipiani’s winemaking legacy back to its roots. Headed by 11th-generation vintner Lado Uzunashvili, it offers grape-to-glass tours and tastings.

From field to fork

Located in the courtyard of the Writers’ House in old Tbilisi, a turn-of-the-century mansion built for brandy baron and philanthropist David Sarajishvili, chef Tekuna Gachechiladze’s Cafe Littera is perfect for al fresco dining. Gachechiladze is known as a renegade of Georgian cuisine thanks to her open-minded approach to traditional recipes. Local produce is front and centre on the menu, which marries classic Georgian flavours with European techniques in dishes such as chilled sorrel and mint soup, fig carpaccio with Tushetian guda cheese and veal tartare with local truffles. Sit on the tiled terrace or plant yourself under a tree in the sculpture garden between the stone busts.

Meanwhile, keeping with the literary theme, the west Georgian city of Kutaisi was recently named as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature and was once the stomping ground for some of the country’s most influential composers, playwrights and poets. There, you’ll find the restaurant Doli , which evokes the intimacy of a 20th-century writers’ salon. Order the gobi, a large wooden bowl piled high with a selection of different dishes including vibrant pkhali — a vegan-friendly dish, sometimes called ‘Georgian pâté’, made by combining beetroot leaves, spinach, wild cabbage and other vegetables with finely ground walnuts and spices. Then peek into the kitchen to see chef Giorgi Andghuladze cook mchadi (Georgian cornbread) the old-school way in stacked clay pans called ketsi.

Further west, the historic Samegrelo region stands out for its flavoursome cuisine. In the region’s capital Zugdidi, Diaroni (meaning ‘a place for a feast’ in the Megrelian language) restaurant rings out with live folk music most nights of the week. In the past, fiery pepper blend ajika was used in Georgia to ward off diseases. Nowadays, at Diaroni, ajika lends its heat to kharcho, a stew of beef or chicken with a velvety walnut sauce. The restaurant’s showpiece is elarji — cornmeal blended with stringy cheese, which the servers take great pleasure in twirling and pulling over their heads before heaping onto your plate.

On the Black Sea Coast in the city of Batumi, Oval restaurant gives the catch of the day the fine-dining treatment, serving fresh seafood with both Georgian and Asian flavours. Try the likes of tasty tom yam shrimp or fresh mussels in a tarragon-heavy broth called chakapuli. Oval’s chef Guram Bagdhoshvili also offers a special snail dish and a decadent version of adjaruli khachapuri — Georgia’s iconic boat-shaped cheese pie with a glistening egg yolk at its centre — featuring tenili, a rare cheese made by pulling softened curds. Both dishes are specialties of the Meskheti region, where Bagdhoshvili traces his ancestry to.

Related Topics

• FOOD TOURISM
• FOOD CULTURE
• FOOD HISTORY

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