Georgia Says There Is an Attempt to Disrupt Tourist Flows From Russia

Татьяна Бородина

Georgia’s State Security Service has launched an investigation into the spread of disinformation about the country. According to the agency, the campaign is aimed at deterring Russian tourists and damaging Georgia’s economy, Imedi reports.

Fake Accounts and a Foreign Media Outlet

According to the State Security Service, the disinformation was spread through fake social media accounts created and managed from abroad. At this stage, investigators have identified several such profiles on X. The agency also said that individuals located in Georgia were supporting the campaign.

The posts claimed that Russians were allegedly facing hostile treatment in Georgia. In particular, they alleged that local residents abandoned tourists from Russia in forests and that Georgian restaurants deliberately contaminated food ordered by Russian customers.

After appearing on social media, the claims were picked up by a foreign-registered online media outlet with an audience of several million. The State Security Service said the materials were distributed in a coordinated manner and at specific intervals. The outlet was not named in the statement.

Investigators are treating the activity as an attempt to create the impression among Russian citizens that Georgia is an unfavorable travel destination and thereby harm the country’s economic interests.

Case Investigated Under Sabotage Article

The investigation is being conducted under Article 318 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. It provides liability for sabotage — interference with the operation of state enterprises or other important facilities with the aim of harming the country’s interests. The maximum penalty is up to four years in prison.

The State Security Service is seeking to identify the organizers and participants in the campaign, possible sources of financing, and the mechanisms used to disseminate the information. Investigators are also expected to determine the ultimate objectives of the activity.

The agency said it would continue to identify similar cases. Actions by external or internal forces aimed at undermining national interests, destabilizing state institutions, disrupting the constitutional order, or threatening national security will be subject to legal assessment.

Georgia Remains Open to Tourists

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze urged foreign travelers not to cancel trips to Georgia because of information circulating online. He stressed that the country’s attitude toward visitors does not depend on their citizenship. “Do not believe these lies. Come to Georgia and see for yourselves,” the Tbilisi mayor said. He added that visitors are always welcome in the country.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized that the country remains open to foreign visitors and that the authorities will continue to create the necessary conditions for tourists from all countries, including Russia.

He said this approach is consistent with Georgian traditions of hospitality and the country’s economic interests. Kobakhidze described the campaign aimed at discrediting Georgia as “sabotage against one’s own country” and said the state would respond to attempts to harm national interests.

Demand for Tours From Russia Rises 50%

Earlier, Maya Lomidze, executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, said that sales of organized trips from Russia to Georgia increased by 50% in 2026 compared with 2025. Batumi and Tbilisi remain the most popular destinations, although travelers are increasingly adding coastal and mountain regions to their itineraries.

The expert attributed the increase in interest to the price-to-quality ratio, transport accessibility, historical heritage, national cuisine, and Georgian hospitality. If the current trend continues, she said, the 2026 tourist season could become a record year for the country.

The structure of demand is also changing: Russians are increasingly choosing combined and sightseeing programs, longer trips, and accommodation in four- and five-star hotels. Depending on the tour operator, the number of bookings for the spring-summer season increased by 15–200%.

Conclusion

Analysts at International Investment note that tourist flows to Georgia are growing and Russians continue to hold the leading position among foreign visitors. The country is also attracting businesspeople, while foreign direct investment increased by 19.3%, with the United Kingdom ranking first in this segment. Investment from Russia rose by 39.5% to $109.5 million. Real estate remains one of the most sought-after areas, while experts identify premium-class hotels among the relatively stable and potentially profitable options.

It remains unclear who is behind the campaign to discredit Georgia and what its ultimate objectives are. Meanwhile, the country retains a number of advantages for tourists and investors: straightforward entry and residence conditions, a wide range of travel options — from city and beach holidays to mountain and eco-tourism — access to real estate transactions for foreigners, and a comparatively low tax burden for businesses. These factors continue to support interest in Georgia not only as a travel destination, but also as a location for long-term investment and business activity.