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nature of the trick that took place in the Georgian parliament,” Lavrov said, according​ R​ euters​, ​referring to how the protests were sparked after word spread of a visiting Russian MP being invited to take the speaker’s chair in the parliament in Tbilisi.
The ban on passenger flights from Russia to Georgia triggered a wave of support on social media and in public media in favour of Georgia as a tourism destination. Russians intent on holidaying in the country or on visiting friends and relatives living there had to resort to road travel.
Losses to airlines resulting from the ban on direct flights between Russia and Georgia is estimated at RUB3bn ($47mn), Russian Transport Minister Yevgeny Ditrikh said on July 7, Tass reported.
The ban was introduced after​ ​mass protests outside the Georgian parliament​, triggered by reports that a Russian lawmaker was giving a speech from the speaker’s chair inside the legislature.
9.1.4 ​Tourism sector news
Georgia’s tourism revenues keep rising in January
Georgia's international arrivals and tourism figures up 20% y/y in January
Tbilisi voted third best tourism destination in Europe
Georgia’s revenue from international arrivals amounted to $193mn in January 2020, marking a 17.6% y/y gain, according to the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA).
This performance was achieved despite the flight ban imposed by Russia last July, which was visible in the number of airport passengers recorded. Georgian airports served 314,079 passengers in January, a fall of 3% y/y, United Airports of Georgia said.
While Kutaisi and Batumi international airports experienced increases in passenger flows, Tbilisi International Airport experienced a decrease. The reason was the Russian flight ban and the suspension of direct flights from and to China as a response to the need to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
Georgia’s number of international arrivals (633,201) as well as its number of tourists (363,614) in January increased by nearly 20% y/y, hitting new records, according to Mariam Kvrivishvili, head of the country’s National Tourism Administration.
Following Russia's imposition of a flight ban due to political rows last July, the Georgian government has been working to minimise probable negative consequences for the tourism industry. In 2019, the National Tourism Administration undertook major marketing activities targeted at multiple international markets.
Most international arrivals concerned people from Azerbaijan (+ 34.9%), Armenia (+ 17.5%), Russia (+ 1.1%) and Turkey (+ 16.6%).
Georgia’s tourism sector saw significant visitor boosts from the following countries: Israel at + 57.3%, Saudi Arabia + 49.8%, Kazakhstan + 44.8% and Kuwait + 44.6%. As for EU countries, the number of international arrivals increased too by rates, for instance, of: Italy + 133.1%, Poland + 82.9%, France + 46.8% and Lithuania + 43.7%.
Tourism is an important sector of Georgia’s economy. According to preliminary data, international travel to Georgia in 2019 generated $3.3bn, up + 1.4% y/y.
Georgia’s capital city Tbilisi has taken third place in international competition "The Best Destinations of Europe 2020", ahead of small French town Colmar and Athens.
According to the competition organisers, by 2020 Tbilisi became one of the most trendy cities, attracting tourists with its ancient culture and future-oriented innovations.
44​ GEORGIA Country Report​ March 2020 ​​www.intellinews.com