Tbilisi Mayor: Georgia among world’s safest countries - foreign-backed propaganda campaign targets tourism, economy

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said that Tbilisi and Georgia were among the safest places in the world, but forces operating from abroad have launched a new propaganda campaign aimed at harming the country’s interests and tourism sector by spreading false claims about the mistreatment of tourists.

In his interview with journalist Nobel Arustamyan, Kaladze rejected allegations circulating on social media and foreign websites that Georgians mistreat tourists of certain nationalities, describing them as organised lies supported both from abroad and within the country.

“Tbilisi and Georgia as a whole are among the safest cities and countries in the world, but recently, unfortunately, forces operating from abroad have launched a new propaganda campaign against our people and our interests”, he said.

He noted that fake accounts and bots were spreading claims that Georgian citizens abandon Russian tourists in forests or deliberately ruin their food in restaurants, among other fabrications.

“They claim that Georgians allegedly mistreat tourists of certain nationalities and urge them not to come here. Special fake accounts and bots on social media are spreading lies. They write that Georgian citizens leave Russian tourists alone in the forest, deliberately ruin food ordered by them at restaurants, for example, and this is only part of the lies. Unfortunately, major foreign websites with audiences of several million then regularly publish this false information, after which it is actively disseminated by bloggers who are presumably controlled by the authors of these lies”, Kaladze noted.

The official linked the campaign to an ongoing investigation by the State Security Service under Article 318 of the Criminal Code, which addresses sabotage against the state.

“If I am not mistaken, two or three days ago, the State Security Service of Georgia launched an investigation into an act of sabotage against the country. This campaign is organised from abroad and supported from within the country in order to harm our economy and state. The investigation is being conducted under Article 318 of the Criminal Code, which provides for punishment for disrupting the operation of state enterprises or other important facilities with the aim of causing harm to Georgia as a whole”, he stressed.

He emphasised Georgia’s traditional hospitality, asserting that guests of all nationalities were treated with respect and that visitors consistently wanted to return.

“I want to state honestly, sincerely and officially that all this information circulating on social media is an absolute lie. No one in our country mistreats any tourist, regardless of their nationality - neither Russians, nor Ukrainians, nor citizens of European, Asian or other countries. Our people consider a guest to be a gift from God. We simply cannot mistreat those who come to our country for a holiday”, he noted.

Kaladze invited people to come and experience the country for themselves.

“Anyone - absolutely anyone - who has been to Georgia even once will agree with me. People around the world know that Georgians are hospitable and friendly. We welcome every person who comes to us with good intentions with great warmth, love and respect. That is precisely why almost everyone who has visited Georgia wants to return here”, Kaladze said.

“I want to tell you: do not believe these lies. Come to Georgia and see for yourselves that unforgettable days await you in our beautiful country, with its rich history and culture. I promise you will never forget the happy moments you spent in Georgia. So, you are always welcome - come!” he concluded.