Georgia Sees Record Tourism as European Visitors Jump 20% in 2026

By Mariam Lomidze, Culture & Events Reporter · 14/11/2026

Georgia is cementing its reputation as a fast-growing travel destination, with new data showing record tourist arrivals, rising revenue and a notable surge in visitors from Europe. According to the Georgian National Tourism Administration, the country recorded 4,404,872 international tourist visits between January and September 2026, up 2.3% compared with the same period in 2025. Including all international traveller visits, the figure rose to 6,112,078 over the nine-month period, while tourism revenue reached a record USD 3.8 billion, a 4.4% year-on-year increase.

European Travellers Driving Growth

The most striking trend, according to the source, is the sharp rise in arrivals from the European Union and the United Kingdom. Georgia recorded 473,620 visits from these markets in the first nine months of 2026, a 20.1% increase on the same period last year. Revenue from EU and UK visitors grew even faster, up 29.1% to USD 665.4 million. Growth was recorded across all 27 EU member states, with notable increases from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Netherlands, the Georgian National Tourism Administration reported.

For travellers, this reflects Georgia’s increasing visibility on the European travel map, helped by direct flight connections to Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi from several European cities, along with growing interest in wine tourism, mountain trekking and cultural heritage trips.

What Draws Visitors to Georgia

Georgia’s appeal lies in its combination of history, landscape and hospitality. Travellers can wander the old town of Tbilisi, taste wine in the vineyards of Kakheti, hike beneath the peaks of Kazbegi and Svaneti, or relax along the Black Sea coast near Batumi. Because the country is compact, it is possible to combine several of these experiences — a city visit, a wine region, and a mountain excursion — within a single week-long itinerary.

For those planning a visit in late 2026 or into 2027, the figures suggest growing international confidence in Georgia as a destination, but travellers should still plan carefully. Seasonal weather can affect mountain regions such as Svaneti and Kazbegi, where roads may be more difficult to navigate in winter, and accommodation in popular areas can fill up during peak months. Booking transport and lodging in advance, particularly for Tbilisi and Kakheti wine tours, is advisable given rising visitor interest.

Overall, the data from the Georgian National Tourism Administration and Geostat point to a destination gaining steady traction with European travellers, offering a mix of affordability, culture and natural scenery that continues to draw new visitors each year.

Written by the GTour desk from the source material provided; facts attributed to the source.