Georgia’s National Statistics Office, known as Geostat, recently unveiled its latest report on outbound tourism for the third quarter of 2024. The report highlighted a noticeable dip in the number of trips made by Georgian residents compared to last year, shedding light on the destinations, demographics, and reasons driving these travel trends.
Fewer Trips Abroad as Tourism Numbers Dip 7.4%
In Q3 2024, the number of outbound trips by Georgian residents dropped by 7.4% compared to the same period in 2023. This shift translates to 603,000 trips in total, marking a 6.8% decline from the previous year. While economic factors and changing travel trends may have played a role, it remains a significant reversal in Georgia’s tourism patterns, especially considering past growth in international travel.
Interestingly, despite this decline, the number of tourist-type visits—those where travelers engage in tourism activities rather than purely visiting friends or family—actually rose slightly. With 402,100 tourist-type trips recorded, this category saw a modest increase of 1.1%, pointing to a resilient segment of travelers prioritizing leisure and exploration over other travel motives.
Who’s Traveling? Spotlight on Age Demographics
The majority of outbound travelers in Q3 2024 came from the 31-50 age group, making up 47.4% of all trips. This age bracket consistently forms the core of Georgia’s traveling population, likely due to their financial stability, professional flexibility, and interest in exploring destinations abroad.
For younger travelers, however, the numbers appear to be comparatively lower, with economic factors potentially curbing their travel opportunities. Meanwhile, the 31-50 age group’s consistent representation suggests that this demographic is relatively unaffected by these constraints. It may also be that this age group is more motivated by family commitments abroad, as well as business and leisure interests.
In a brief breakdown of ages:
- 18-30: Some outbound travelers in this age group, but fewer compared to older groups
- 31-50: Leading group, comprising 47.4% of outbound travelers
- 51+: Less prominent, though still present among those visiting friends or seeking medical care abroad
Top Destinations: Turkey and Russia Lead the List
The report reveals that Turkey and Russia remained the top choices for Georgian travelers. Together, these two destinations accounted for a significant portion of all trips, likely due to their proximity, cultural ties, and longstanding travel routes.
For Turkey:
- With 237,400 trips recorded, Turkey stands as the preferred destination for Georgian tourists. It offers a variety of attractions, from vibrant cities to seaside resorts, as well as affordable travel options.
For Russia:
- Russia attracted 119,000 Georgian visitors, retaining its appeal despite political tensions. Many travelers cited family connections as the reason for their trips, underscoring the complex but enduring ties between the two nations.
Other destinations, while not leading the charts, also attracted Georgian travelers for diverse reasons, including tourism, medical purposes, and family visits. However, Turkey and Russia’s prominence hints at a preference for familiar, nearby locations that offer both cultural comfort and accessibility.
Travel Motives: Family Connections Drive Outbound Tourism
Among Georgian travelers, the most commonly cited reason for travel was visiting friends or family abroad, making up 32% of all outbound trips. This statistic illustrates how crucial familial and social connections are in shaping Georgian travel habits, especially in a year marked by economic uncertainties.
While visiting friends and family took the lead, there were other prominent travel motives as well:
- Leisure and tourism: Significant, particularly among the younger and middle-aged groups
- Medical reasons: Some older travelers, particularly to nearby countries offering specific healthcare services
- Business: A smaller percentage, likely affected by recent economic trends that have influenced corporate travel budgets
The table below provides a simplified overview of travel motives by percentage:
| Motive | Percentage of Total Trips |
|---|---|
| Visiting Friends/Family | 32% |
| Leisure and Tourism | 26% |
| Medical Treatment | 15% |
| Business | 12% |
| Other | 15% |
This breakdown highlights the strong role of social and familial connections as driving factors in Georgian tourism trends, though leisure travel remains a close second.
