Georgia bets on tourism boom as Azerbaijan train services return

Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, said that the resumption of passenger train services between Tbilisi and Baku is important for Georgia.

According to her, Georgia will be the only exception for which Azerbaijan will resume passenger rail connections, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The minister noted that Azerbaijan has long been an important partner for Georgia in the field of tourism.

“Today, when the two capitals are connected only by air services, the restoration of rail transport will play an important role in deepening people-to-people ties, trade and economic relations, as well as increasing tourist flows with the start of the summer tourist season,” Kvrivishvili added.

Earlier, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy confirmed that daily passenger train services on the Baku–Tbilisi–Baku route will resume on May 26.

The decision follows an agreement reached during talks in Baku between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

The sides also signed a protocol of the Coordination Council confirming the completion and final acceptance of modernisation works under the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway project.

Passenger rail services between the two capitals were suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the special quarantine regime.

By Aghakazim Guliyev