Tour operators reported a drop in demand for travel to Georgia due to protests

Due to the riots in Tbilisi, sales of tours to Georgia have slowed down, but there are no mass cancelations and postponements of bookings. This was reported on December 5 on the website of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

"Tourists usually observe for a week and then make a decision. If the situation does not stabilize, travelers who have the opportunity to refuse a trip to Georgia without losses or with minimal costs, will begin to do so," said ATOR vice-president for domestic tourism Sergey Romashkin.

He noted that it is difficult to replace the Georgian destination with another, but it is almost impossible to realize the country's tourism potential due to political events.

In turn, ATOR vice-president for outbound tourism Artur Muradyan believes that travelers have enough time to think things over.

"The situation may change if events follow a negative scenario and escalate in the second half of December," he emphasized.

The Association of Tour Operators explained that the unrest is concentrated in the government district of Georgia and takes place only during darkness, so tourists hardly cross paths with demonstrators and police.

"Nevertheless, we advise to follow the recommendations of local authorities and security services and strictly follow them," Muradyan summarized.

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Protests continue in Tbilisi over the suspension of European integration talks. The protesters oppose the decision to postpone negotiations with the European Union (EU). The Georgian Interior Ministry reported that 32 police officers required medical assistance after the dispersal of unrest near the Parliament building.

Before that, on November 28, the ruling Georgian Dream party decided to suspend discussions with the EU on opening accession talks with the union until 2028. As Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze specified, Georgia will continue to fulfill its obligations under the associated membership and free trade agreement and will fulfill them by 90% by 2028.