Money or principles: visa regime with Russia threatens Georgia with millions of losses

Experts assessed the consequences: only the flight will cost about 130-150 thousand for two

Georgia has been and remains one of the most popular international destinations for Russian tourists to visit. But what happens if entry into the country is complicated? It is obvious that the introduction of a visa regime will become a limitation for the growth of traffic to Georgia. It also follows from this that revenues from tourism to the local budget will be seriously reduced. But despite this, President Salome Zurabishvili called for the introduction of visas for Russians in response to Moscow’s lifting of visa restrictions for Georgian citizens from May 15. Will the authorities of the neighboring country decide to take such a step and how will the tourist flows change in this case? Experts told about this “MK”.

Ivan Samoylenko, Managing Partner at B&C Agency:

“Now it is difficult to imagine what steps the Georgian leadership can take, because in this issue and in the current situation, many actions are dictated by politics. But still, we will expect that Georgia will not introduce visas for Russians: the tourism industry of this country earns millions of dollars on our tourists. And there are also related industries: cafes and restaurants, logistics, cultural enterprises, as well as the rental sector, are also profiting from the growing tourist flow from Russia. By introducing visas for Russians, Georgia will hit part of its economy, so perhaps the country’s parliament will not make such decisions. And if visas are introduced, then three-month visas are offered for the time being.”

Pavel Sigal, First Vice President of Opora Rossii:

“The growth of the tourist flow to Russia can be quite significant, because the visa-free regime and the availability of direct flights are a very good tourism companion. People are always looking at how to get to their destination faster and easier when they fly. Accordingly, the maximum simplification of the visa regime usually always leads to a significant increase in passenger traffic.”

Andrey Loboda, economist, director of communications at BitRiver:

“The former republics within the USSR are doomed to good neighborliness. Relations, both related and business, have been preserved. If we discard political issues, then first of all, the abolition of the visa regime with Georgia is a very convenient format for relations between ordinary people.

In the next three years, we can expect an increase in the tourist flow from Georgia up to 10%. The abolition of the visa regime is positive not only for strengthening family ties between people living in different countries, but also for business.

The introduction of visas will not have a special impact on the tourist flow from Russia. Everyone who wanted to, have already settled or constantly come to Georgia. And the market capacity is not high by tourist standards.”

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