Total international visitor (tourists and same-day combined) growth accelerated to 19.8% y/y in Jan-20 after growing 16.3% y/y in Dec-19. Out of total 0.52mn visitors, Georgia hosted 0.36mn tourists (up 18.9% y/y) and 0.16mn same-day visitors (up 21.9% y/y) in Jan-20.
Georgia suspended flights to and from China till Apr-2020 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Notably, Georgia’s dependence on tourism from China is very limited with just 48K (0.6% of total visitors) Chinese traveling to Georgia in 2019. So direct hit from weaker Chinese tourism on Georgia will be minimal (Chinese spent US$ 3.8mn in 1Q19 or 0.7% of total revenues), and expected arrival growth from other countries will fully compensate this shortfall. Expectations can change if virus is not contained and willingness to travel globally weakens or many avoid Asia and start traveling to other countries.
Please see the full note here, which brings together tourist arrival data for reporting month, most recent statistical information available in the sector and 2020 forecast
