Georgia is preparing to welcome Russian tourists
The Georgian opposition will not be able to disrupt the resumption of air traffic with Russia with its protests.
Political experts come to this conclusion, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
Thus, Vladimir Novikov, head of the Caucasus department of the Institute of CIS Countries, notes that pro-Western forces in Georgia are operating according to a standard scenario.
“Any hint of any improvement in relations with Russia is met with hostility. This is explained by the fact that Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic course is under threat. In addition, friendly gestures from Moscow or towards Moscow are considered unacceptable in the context of the Ukrainian conflict. I don't think their performances will have any consequences. We see that society supports the ruling party, which does not want confrontation with Moscow,” Novikov told Izvestia.
Nikolay Silaev, leading researcher at the Center for Caucasus Problems and Regional Security at MGIMO, shares a similar opinion.
“Actually, it was Russia that stopped flights in 2019 and is now resuming them. It would be strange if Tbilisi prevented this step, since it would allow workers in the Georgian tourism industry to receive additional money. The opposition, apparently, has finally stopped focusing on logic and acts exclusively on reflexes,” adds Silaev.
In turn, Moskovsky Komsomolets writes that “the pricing policy of Georgian resorts in relation to Russians will be “symmetrical” to the excitement that has arisen - that is, frankly overpriced.”
At the same time, the manager for the Georgian direction of one of the Russian companies says that it is cheaper to get to Georgia even through Armenia.
“From Moscow to Tbilisi via Yerevan, for example, today is 10% cheaper and half an hour faster. In the meantime, there is no organized tourist flow, individuals need to be more careful. In some places the reception may not be the warmest, you need to be mentally prepared for this. And it’s okay if it only affects prices at the market when they see Russians. Money is money, but Georgians are a passionate, emotional nation, and the Americans are already oppressing them for allowing flights to the Russian Federation,” the manager warned in a conversation with MK.
The publication spoke with a resident of the coastal village of Grigoleti in the vicinity of the port city of Poti. He said that after the abolition of the visa regime and the resumption of air traffic, Georgians are preparing to welcome Russian tourists.
“We are all very busy now. They clean their chicken coops to give to you,” says a village resident.
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