Georgian PM says tourism must be protected from politically motivated campaigns

Georgia’s tourism sector must be protected from potential threats, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said during a briefing at the Government Administration, stressing the importance of tourism to the country’s economy.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted that Georgia has already faced challenges in the tourism industry due to the conflict in the Middle East, which led to a decline in visitor flows from the region, including Arab countries and Israel.

The Prime Minister claimed that certain groups are now attempting to create artificial problems in relations with Russia and Russian tourists, describing these efforts as part of a broader “Russophobic campaign”.

“We were already facing challenges in the tourism sector after the conflict erupted in the Middle East. Naturally, tourist flows from the region, including Arab countries and Israel, declined. Now, there are attempts to artificially create problems in relation to Russia and Russian tourists, but these efforts will not succeed. We must remain vigilant, because if we fail to act, they could achieve their goal. Significant resources have been mobilized for this campaign - external patrons, foreign-backed agents, political parties, party activists, and party-affiliated television channels are all involved in fueling anti-Russian sentiment”, the PM said.

“However, if we stand as firmly as we did in 2022 - when there were demands for Georgia to open a second front, impose sanctions, and send volunteer fighters, and when anti-Russian campaigns were actively being promoted - then, as was the case then, these efforts will fail. The public rose to the occasion at that time, and nothing was achieved. Likewise, if society once again stands united, these campaigns will not produce their intended results”, he concluded.