By Mariam Lomidze, Culture & Events Reporter · 22/10/2026
- Book Tbilisi accommodation early as occupancy has risen to 79% in Q3.
- Expect average hotel rates around $94/night and Airbnb around $47/night.
- Direct Shanghai–Tbilisi flights are boosting Chinese visitor numbers, increasing flight options.
Tbilisi’s hotel sector posted strong growth in the third quarter of 2026, according to an analysis by investment bank Galt & Taggart. Average hotel occupancy in the capital rose to 79%, up from 75% in the same period last year, while the average daily room rate (ADR) climbed from $87 to $94.
Citing data from News.ge, the report states that international visits to Tbilisi grew 3.3% year-on-year to 2.6 million in the quarter, with tourist visits reaching a record 2.1 million, up 4.7%. Growth was driven mainly by arrivals from the European Union (+16.6%), Russia (+4.7%) and Azerbaijan (+36.2%). Visits from China rose 30.2%, which the analysis links to the launch of direct Shanghai–Tbilisi flights.
The short-term rental market showed a similar trend: Airbnb bookings in Tbilisi rose 16% year-on-year to around 354,000 nights, with the average nightly rate increasing from $45 to $47. Overall tourism revenue for the quarter grew 11.9% year-on-year to $1.9 billion, and Galt & Taggart forecasts full-year 2026 tourism revenue will reach $4.9 billion.
What it means for travellers
Expect higher hotel and apartment prices in Tbilisi during peak periods, and book accommodation early given rising occupancy. Travellers from China may notice increased availability of direct Shanghai–Tbilisi flights. Budget for daily room rates around $94 for hotels and $47 for short-term rentals as a general benchmark.
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Source: SheniTbilisi (network tip-off, Georgian). Reported by the GTour desk; updated 22 October 2026, 17:51 (Tbilisi).
