Business Tourism in Georgia – Reality and Perspectives

Abstract

Business tourism in Georgia has been actively developing in recent years. In 2022, 6.6% of the total number of visitors was on business visits, and 6.8% in 2023. In 2023, the country received USD 4.1 billion in revenue from tourism, which is 26.2% higher than the pre-pandemic figure in 2019. With the 2022 ranking of business meetings of the world countries, Georgia ranks 64th with 18 meetings, while Tbilisi is ranked 129th in the ranking of world cities with 16 business meetings. There is a lack of halls for 1,000 people in Georgia to hold large forums. Under construction in Tbilisi, Panorama Sololak, with a capacity of more than 3,000 delegates, is expected to add the largest conference space to the city's MICE market. Over the next few years, 15 hotels of the international brand will increase the market of Tbilisi MICE with an area of 12,537 sq. m., with a total capacity of 8,485 guests. On July 4, 2024, the National Tourism Administration organized the International Prestige Forum of Business Tourism M&I Tbilisi 2024 in Tbilisi. Within 4 days, representatives of the leading European companies participated in it. The forum had about 200 participants, of which 68 foreign companies visited Georgia specifically to learn about Georgia's capabilities, its infrastructure and potential. Keywords: Business Tourism, MICE Tourism.