The FINANCIAL — Tourists spend on average GEL 546 per trip while visiting Georgia, according to data provided by the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA).
Tourists visiting Georgia for the purpose of business or professional activities tend to spend much more compared to those who come to Georgia for recreational purposes or to visit relatives or friends. Business travellers spend about GEL 1,000 in Georgia. If the purpose of visiting the country is vacation, tourists tend to spend GEL 651, and if the purpose is visiting friends or relatives – they spend GEL 424 on average, according to GNTA.
Tourists spend about GEL 110 per day, including costs of hotel, food, transportation, museums etc, according to a survey conducted by The FINANCIAL. The majority of tourists with whom The FINANCIAL spoke last week said that Georgia is a relatively cheap country to live or travel in.
“Communication costs such as internet subscription, mobile tariff and data costs are very low in comparison to other places. Besides that, Wi-Fi is available for free in the streets,” said Minna Levanto from Finland. “Fresh fruit and vegetables, general food products, snacks and soft drinks are very low as well. Household accommodation costs for items such as apartment purchase, mortgage rate, rental, and utilities are average in comparison to other places. Recreation and culture costs for items such as cinema and theatre tickets are also average in comparison to other places. As for public transport, it is cheap,” she added.
“The most expensive thing for me in Georgia is taxis. But if you use public buses, it’s fine,” said Pablo Jadot, from Berlin, Germany. “Everyday products are amazingly cheap here. Apartments are cheaper in Tbilisi than in Germany but on a low level as well, because we live in the old town. If I count only the most important costs like hotel, food and transportation, I spend about GEL 120-150 per day, which is relatively fine for me,” he added.
Tourists cite different purposes for visiting Georgia. While some want to experience a new destination and new lifestyle, others are looking for Byzantine-type art or rare perennials here.
“We were looking for something that would be new to us and yet not too far from our home country. So we came to Georgia. First we arrived in Kutaisi and stayed there. Then we drove to the Svaneti area where we were hiking and visiting mountains. What I liked the most is the way the old buildings were reconstructed rather than simply being destroyed and completely new ones being built. I liked how I could still feel the old splendour and glory of the city,” Minna Levanto said.
“I was always very interested in searching for places where I could see ancient churches. And my husband is attracted by mountains. So we came to Georgia,” said Carla Kramer. “I saw Jvari, Svetitskoveli and Samtavro monasteries. Three of them – each amazing and wonderful. As I am a historian I would say that I have never seen such amazing churches. And my husband would say that the mountains in Georgia are just gorgeous,” she added.
“I saw two documentaries about Georgia when I was in Germany about gold mining, wine and the history of the country,” said Pablo Jadot, from Berlin. “I saw pictures of Svaneti and the mountains in Georgia and I was sufficiently impressed to wind up visiting the place. I also thought about gold mining but didn’t get round to it this time. I explored some places and next time will try to find some gold here. Many Germans ask about security issues; I see it as a safe place. I am totally in awe of the nature. I am also very glad about how tolerant and accepting Georgian people are toward foreigners,” he said.
“We heard about Georgia from school to everyday life as well,” said Leonardo Mayol, from Rome, Italy. “Beautiful nature, good food, nice people, good hospitality and a very diverse country – there is sea, mountains, rivers, lakes. It is a small country with a little of everything. Here there is a different lifestyle to the one we have at home and are therefore learning more about another culture,” he added.
“Tourists have a wider choice here,” said Marcin Aloksa, from Poland, travelling with his friends. “And what is important is that great wine and fruit is so cheap. What I do not like is that you do not have zebra crossings on the roads and the drivers are crazy. Crossing the road is really scary for us. It is simply dangerous,” said Marcin Aloksa, from Poland, travelling with his friends.
“There are many rare perennials in Georgia,” said the botanist Paulina Rusek from Poland. “I found virgin nature in Georgia full of many interesting plants. I will tell all about it to my students,” she added.
The tourists questioned by The FINANCIAL stayed in Georgia for two weeks or so. The majority of them visited the country to spend their vacations here. Svaneti, Tusheti, Tbilisi, Telavi, Batumi, Gori, Uflistsikhe, Signagi, Kutaisi and Mtskheta are the top destinations for them.
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