Russians to Choose Armenia and Azerbaijan: Consequences of the Ban on Direct Flights from Russia to Georgia

Starting from July 8, a ban on direct flights from Russia to Georgia will come into effect. In an interview with Sputnik, the head of 'Rostourism,' Zarina Doguzova, discussed the implications of this ban. According to her, road-based tourism accounts for 70-75% of the country's overall tourism.

Following the recent events, tourist flow from Russia is expected to decrease by 60-70%. Doguzova believes that following the president's directive, the rise in bus ticket sales may occur, but only to a minimal extent. As an alternative to Georgia, Russian citizens are likely to show interest in Krasnodar, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Caucasus region.

Doguzova also noted that there have been no reports of tickets booked to Georgia being redirected to other countries so far, although several tickets have been canceled.

In response to the ban on flights by Russian airlines, Georgian internet users have launched a new flash mob under the hashtag 'Rest in Georgia.' This initiative aims to support local tourism amidst the current situation. The organizers of the flash mob emphasize that everyone should spend their holiday in Georgia. ‘This is not a call for an economic miracle. It's simply an investment in response to the ban. We want those who are going abroad for vacation to come to Georgia,’” reported the Georgian channel Rustavi-2, referring to the flash mob's initiators.

Tourist agencies are hopeful that this year they will be able to attract mainly European tourists. On the other hand, a survey conducted among Georgians revealed that many believe the country could lose $1 billion due to this ban, as 25% of tourists in Georgia are Russian citizens.