In 2023, the flow of Russian travelers across Georgia’s borders shifted, with more Russians leaving Georgia than entering. This observation comes from Interfax, which cited data from the Republic’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. The year saw Russians crossing into Georgia a total of 1,856,237 times, while exits reached 1,887,223. The gap suggests a net retreat of Russian residents during that period, highlighting changing travel patterns and potential shifts in mobility preferences among Russian nationals.
Looking deeper at quarterly dynamics, the Ministry’s statistics indicate that in the fourth quarter of 2023, Turkish citizens ranked first in the number of border crossings with Georgia, while Russian citizens held the second position. This layering of border activity points to evolving regional travel demand, where neighboring markets like Turkey and Georgia compete for cross-border movement while broader geopolitical factors shape travel choices across the region.
Separately, early 2024 reports from socialmedia outlets noted a notable uptick in demand for domestic holidays among Russian residents. In January 2024, reservations for lodging in Murmansk rose by about 47 percent compared with January 2023. Concurrently, the average daily rate for hotel stays in Murmansk increased by roughly 24 percent year over year, climbing to around 5,200 rubles. These indicators suggest a growing Russian emphasis on exploring domestic destinations while travel abroad evolves in response to price, availability, and perceived value.
Additional data highlighted a surge in Russian bookings for accommodations in Abkhazia during January 2024, with the number of reservations doubling versus January 2023. This trend underscores ongoing interest in the Black Sea coastal region as a destination for Russian travelers, alongside Georgia’s broader tourism narrative. Taken together, these figures reflect a pattern of renewed domestic and near-border travel, with Russia’s tourism footprint expanding in both inland and cross-border contexts during the period analyzed.
Prior reports also asked how many hotels were booked by tourists in 2023, contributing to a larger conversation about seasonal demand, pricing strategies, and regional resilience in hospitality markets. Across these sources, the overall takeaway is clear: travel behavior in and around Georgia, Abkhazia, and neighboring markets experienced meaningful shifts in 2023 and early 2024, influenced by economic conditions, currency movements, and evolving traveler preferences. The data signals opportunities for travel providers to adapt offerings, improve accessibility, and tailor experiences to a diverse mix of domestic and international visitors, while authorities monitor border activity to balance security, tourism growth, and regional stability.