Russia and Georgia: Scandal threatens the tourist season Article by Vladimir Tskhvediani

Georgia has begun to experience a decline in tourist arrivals. In the first half of 2026, the country recorded 2,734,504 visits by foreign tourists, 2.7% fewer than in the same period last year. Negative trends in the tourism sector, which is of major importance to Georgia’s economy, could accelerate due to conflicts and scandals involving tourists—particularly those with a political dimension—as well as the military situation in the countries from which visitors originate.

In particular, due to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the military conflict involving the United States and Israel, which was accompanied by the suspension of air travel, tourist arrivals from Iran fell sharply by 48.7% in the first half of 2026. The number of tourists from Israel also declined by 14.4%.

At the same time, the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war has not yet led to a decrease in tourist arrivals from either country during the first half of 2026. On the contrary, the military factor may have encouraged Russian citizens to choose Georgia among the “safe” holiday destinations instead of the resorts in occupied Crimea, which have been exposed to the risk of drone strikes and logistical disruptions.

This is also reflected in the statistics on visits to the country by foreign nationals. The top 15 countries by the number of visits to Georgia in January–June 2026 are as follows:

• Russia — 610,825 (+5%)
• Türkiye — 525,380 (-1.5%)
• Armenia — 360,050 (-8%)
• Israel — 146,628 (-14.4%)
• Azerbaijan — 133,345 (-1.4%)
• Ukraine — 69,250 (+22.7%)
• Kazakhstan — 66,526 (+6%)
• China — 54,554 (+16.7%)
• Belarus — 46,220 (-0.1%)
• Germany — 40,892 (+26.2%)
• Poland — 39,506 (+17.4%)
• India — 30,554 (-59.7%)
• Iran — 29,397 (-48.7%)
• Uzbekistan — 28,213 (-4%)
• United States — 23,191 (+4.4%)

At the same time, tourist arrivals from Russia to Georgia may decline in the near future. The reason is the media attention surrounding a conflict in Kakheti that was essentially domestic in nature and involved female tourists who held Russian citizenship.

The conflict between residents gathered for a wedding and a group of female tourists celebrating one of their friends' birthday took place on July 18, 2026, at the Agarani Estate hotel in Georgia's Kakheti region. Following a verbal altercation, the groom's brother, Giorgi Chigladze, went up to the room where the tourists were staying and struck one of the women. The assault was captured on video.

The man responsible for physically assaulting a woman—an act that is unacceptable both morally and legally, regardless of the victim's conduct—was arrested. He stated that he regretted what had happened. However, the opposition, which has accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of allowing an influx of arrivals from Russia, immediately gave the incident a political dimension. Chigladze was soon portrayed on social media as a "hero" and a symbol of resistance to Russia. The opposition also staged a high-profile rally in central Tbilisi demanding his release, and footage from the demonstration quickly spread across social media.

At the same time, Russian social media began circulating claims about the alleged "danger" of vacationing in Georgia, with assertions that women were being assaulted "for speaking Russian." One of the tourists attempted to explain the incident in exactly these terms, but the opposing side rejected that version of events.

Ultimately, the Telavi court released Giorgi Chigladze on bail of 5,000 lari (about $1,900), which was paid by the Agarani Estate hotel. This decision was also enthusiastically welcomed by many opposition supporters as a "victory." Chigladze likewise received broad support across Ukrainian social media.

However, the consequences of the incident at the Agarani Estate hotel—particularly the media attention it generated—are not difficult to predict: the flow of Russian tourists to Georgia is likely to decline over the coming weeks, and possibly even months.

This, in principle, works to the opposition's advantage. The worse the economy becomes due to a decline in tourist arrivals, the stronger the public's grievances against the ruling Georgian Dream party are likely to be. In addition to political scandals and tensions, the decline in the number of Russian tourists visiting Georgia could also be driven by factors related to the Russia–Ukraine war, particularly a fuel crisis that is making road trips to Georgia by private car increasingly difficult.

The substantial 22.7% increase in tourist arrivals from Ukraine during the first half of 2026 may well continue into the second half of the year. Even so, the number of Ukrainian visitors remains several times lower than the number of tourists from Russia. Because of the war, Ukrainian citizens have, on the whole, suffered far more severe consequences than Russians, and their incomes are generally lower. As a result, many Ukrainians are currently in no position to travel or take vacations.

Georgia does not share a border with Ukraine, and direct flights from Ukraine remain suspended because of martial law. As a result, Ukrainian citizens travel to Georgia via third countries. This includes routes through Russia, from where residents of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia—many of whom have retained their Ukrainian passports alongside Russian ones—also travel to Georgia.

The number of visits from European Union countries, including the United Kingdom, increased in the first half of 2026, primarily due to the expansion of direct flights on European routes. During the first six months of 2026, Georgia recorded 249,201 visits from EU countries, which is 23% higher than a year earlier. Meanwhile, the number of tourists from Germany rose by 26.2%, reaching 40,900.

Nevertheless, tourists from all EU countries combined account for only around 40% of the Russian tourist flow. Therefore, in the event of a significant decline in the number of visitors from Russia, they are unlikely to noticeably offset the losses incurred by Georgia’s tourism sector.

By Vladimir Tskhvediani, Georgia, exclusively for Caliber.Az