So you stole?
On Monday, the planes had not yet flown: neither the Georgians to us, nor ours to them. The ball, according to sports terminology, is now in the field of the Georgians. The Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia has confirmed receipt of airlines’ scheduled flight requests. And after (I quote the agency’s statement) “a detailed study of the current situation of the airlines or their aircraft in relation to the international sanctions imposed”, Azimuth was allowed to fly seven times a week.
From sources that have not yet been confirmed, it is known that the Red Wings also plan to fly: to Tbilisi from Moscow, Samara and Kazan. Among the flight applicants are UVT Aero and the Georgian company Georgian Airways. So far we are talking about flights to Tbilisi, but there are suitable airports in Batumi and Kutaisi.
Apparently, Putin’s decrees took Georgia by surprise, and now there is no consensus in Tbilisi on this issue. On the one hand, of course, they desperately need our tourists: but who in their right mind would refuse the money that travelers leave behind in the host country? As analysts of the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili, super-effectively calculated, their tourism sector will receive an annual profit of 300-400 million dollars – as soon as regular direct flights are restored.
And that’s the top of the financial cake. For 9 months in 2022, Georgia received $2.2 billion from remittances, tourism and goods exports from the Russian Federation. Figures may differ depending on the calculation method. But it cannot be denied that our contribution to this segment of the Georgian economy is very important.
Another aspect: at least 200,000 ethnic Georgians live in Russia, but it’s official. Experts say that in reality there are about a million. Their interests must be taken into account. Georgia is a traditional country, with strong family relationships.
But there is also a third point. The West has ordered Tbilisi to hate Russia, and not at all to strengthen humanitarian and economic ties with it. As a result, there is discord in the Georgian political elites. President Salome Zurabishvili called Putin’s decrees “a new provocation”. But Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili gave a very positive assessment of the abolition of the visa regime by Russia.
Conclusion: the ice broke, on May 19, the first flight on the route Moscow (Vnukovo) – Tbilisi is planned. The Superjet flies, so there is no fear that the liner will be subject to sanctions. However, as an airline. Price – from 18,000 (without luggage, only 5 kg hand luggage) one way.
Who or
What attracts us to Georgia?
It’s delicious, drunk, bright, nationally colorful, and at the same time all the pleasures are relatively affordable. No visa required. Many people in this country have not yet forgotten the Russian language (alas, not young people).
Here is a review from a married couple: we stopped in Tbilisi, found a cozy cafe in the old town. Carelessly ordered 300 grams of wine. I had to order again several times. We ended up drinking two liters. To mark? Called “Mine, Homemade”, it is the leading Georgian wine brand. Delicious to the point of madness, and, surprise, the next morning the head is normal. For a feast for the whole world (they had delicious meat and beans with potatoes under a cheese crust), they paid 52 GEL, that is. 1.5 thousand rubles.
And it is in the center of the Georgian capital. It may be cheaper in the provinces. And what an atmosphere! In small establishments, the owner or hostess usually goes out with the guests, gets to know them, treats them to something.
You can also save. Complex lunch at McDonald’s – from 25 to 30 lari (760-900 rubles). By the way, I personally always marveled at the photo: Georgians are sitting in a McDonald’s in the center of Tbilisi. Having a delicious and original cuisine, they bite into ordinary escalopes in rolls, but how come?! But they sit down and eat. However, there is no dispute over tastes.
Coffee is cheap and of excellent quality – from 50 rubles. The price of beer in stores: from 50 rubles for an imported bottle and from 40 for a local one. In the supermarket, a bottle of Kindzmarauli costs from 400 rubles, but this brand is more for visitors. Wine – from 100 rubles. Vodka, on the contrary, is expensive – from 600 rubles, but… You didn’t come here to drink vodka, did you?
A few tips and a limitation.
Don’t watch what the locals eat and drink. They, tired of wine and brandy, might want to take a sip of beer from a plastic bottle. You really don’t need that. The “plastic” beer here tastes no better than at home.
And forget the trendy wine brands. Georgia is a country of communication, the purchase of alcohol begins with its tasting. Each region and each Georgian house has its own wine. Usually no name, but if the house owner or establishment owner raises a glass with you, you won’t be disappointed.
As for “restrictions”, it is not worth starting political disputes, especially with the mention of Abkhazia and Ossetia. First of all, you can’t prove anything to anyone. Second, the southern region, the blood is hot, the “dagger” is sharp. About the dagger – a joke.
roof over your head
Experts predict that the flow of tourists from Russia will reach 1.5 million this year, and in the very foreseeable future it may increase by 1.5-2 times.
Tourism industry experts estimate that even with an increase in the flow of tourists from the Russian Federation to 1.5 million people, Georgia may not have enough hotel rooms. The thesis is controversial because. Georgia’s hotel resources, including the private sector, are far from exhausted. If the tourist flow increases, the market will react, people will quickly borrow and create mini-hotels. The main thing is that the flow of travelers is stable.
Today, the price distribution in hotels in Georgia is as follows: in cities from 15 to 100 dollars per day per room (from hostel to five-star). In the Batumi station, a little more expensive: from $25.
Say why
Question: what to visit in Georgia? – an advanced traveler will cause a smile. And two or three days will not be enough for you to enjoy walks and restaurants in the picturesque districts of Tbilisi, its incredible cafes. Further on the choice – the beaches of Batumi or the mountain monasteries of Svaneti. The week will pass in an instant.
1.1 million – as many citizens of the Russian Federation, according to Gruzstat, visited Georgia in 2022. 112,000 permanently settled relocators
With successful development of the situation, Georgia can become a leading tourist destination for Russians. Georgia is close, interesting and relatively inexpensive. For now, it’s all about how to get there. Today “Aviasales” gives something like this: the cheapest ticket from Moscow to Tbilisi and back for one – from 27 thousand. But it is very inconvenient: to fly to Istanbul, languish there- low for 11 hours with a change of airport. And the return through Armenia will take more than a day, and with a night change. For families with children, it’s just hell.
The option with convenient transfers (8 hours round trip, 4.3 hours return) significantly increases the cost, up to 42,000 rubles. And this is the minimum, such tickets still need to be purchased. Therefore, the success of tourism in this direction will be decided by direct flights and nothing more. On May 19, the special envoy “RG” also takes off with the first plane to Tbilisi: we will honestly show and tell everything.
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