5.5 Million Tourists Arrive in Georgia

More than 5.5 million international visitors arrived in Georgia in 2025, a figure that represents an 8.4% increase over the previous year. The Georgian National Tourism Administration reported this surge in travel, which is nearly ten times the volume of visitors recorded two decades ago. This growth in tourism stands in sharp contrast to the domestic political climate in the capital, Tbilisi, where weekly demonstrations continue.

Every Saturday, crowds gather in Avlabari Square within the Armenian quarter of Tbilisi. These protesters march toward the Bridge of Love and Freedom Square before heading to parliament. Their chants target the government of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and the Georgian Dream party, which has held power since 2012. Critics accuse the ultraconservative party of authoritarianism and point to the suspension of EU accession talks as a move closer to Moscow.

Monday marks the two-year anniversary of the parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024. Protesters began marching two days after the vote, which many consider contested. The movement reached its peak on November 28, when the government declared it would not prioritize opening EU negotiations before the end of 2028. This timeline extends the wait for formal talks, despite the country receiving EU candidate status in 2023.

Economic indicators show a complex picture. GDP grew by 7.5% in 2025, marking five consecutive years of expansion. However, this growth coexists with high unemployment, low wages, and widespread poverty. Many rural areas are experiencing depopulation. The economy relies heavily on Russia for trade, energy imports, and remittances, even though diplomatic relations remain severed following the 2008 war.

The influx of Russian citizens has added pressure to the local market. Tens of thousands of Russians moved to Georgia after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. They opened businesses and purchased homes across the country. This activity has intensified tensions among locals who view Russia as an occupying power due to its control over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, regions that account for approximately 20% of Georgian territory.

Relations with the European Union have deteriorated in recent months. Brussels has criticized the Georgian government’s record on rule of law and political repression. Many observers believe that a stronger Russian position in the Ukraine conflict could increase Moscow’s ability to exert pressure on the Caucasus region. Georgia, a country smaller than Ireland with a population under 4 million, finds itself caught between these geopolitical forces.

The next major milestone for the political crisis is the upcoming anniversary of the November 2024 announcement regarding EU negotiations. Protests are scheduled to continue every Saturday in Tbilisi. The government has not indicated any changes to its stance on the 2028 deadline for opening formal accession talks.