Investment in hotel space is essential in a country that experienced average annual growth in international tourist arrivals of more than 20% between 2011 and 2015, and Georgia has been recognised with an Investment Award for Hotels. Major developments include the €70m Biltmore Hotel, a seven-star hotel in Tbilisi, and the €25m CastelloMare five-star hotel on the Black Sea coast.

The main promotional subsector in the tourism sector for 2017 is the spa and wellness subsector, and the government is currently developing Tskaltubo Spa and Wellness Resort. This has earned the country a specialism award for Spa and Wellness as Invest in Georgia aims to attract at least three investments in the area by 2018.

Investors in the hotel industry can apply for the Hotel Development Incentive from 2018, allowing them to access state-backed finance for the development of hotels. The country has thus been given a Financing Support award in recognition of the effort to assist investors in the tourism sector.

Georgia has seen the composition of its tourist arrivals (which numbered nearly 6 million in 2015) develop and expand. Middle Eastern markets have increased, as well as more visitors from India and China. This contributed to the country’s Diversity of Visitors award.

In 2015, the country introduced an e-visa portal, which allows visitors to apply for a visitor’s visa online. However, nationals from 97 countries do not require a visa to enter the country, which is in receipt of the Ease of Entry award.

Source:fdiintelligence.com