The increase in direct flights is very important for our population, especially in terms of preferential prices of low-cost airlines.

Despite the blow from the cancellation of air links with Russia, tourism in Georgia continues to grow, said Minister of economy and sustainable development Natia Turnava, speaking in Parliament.

In response to the hype surrounding the arrival in Georgia of state Duma Deputy Sergei Gavrilov and the subsequent wave of protest with anti-Russian slogans in June this year, Russia has banned direct flights with Georgia since July 8. As a result, there is a decrease in the number of visitors from Russia.

Russian foreign Ministry: resumption of direct flights to Georgia would be the right decision >>

"Over the past two years, the number of direct flight destinations has grown to 53, to which 12 new destinations will be added in 2020. From here, 70% are European cities. This is our achievement, which is critically important from different points of view: it is the basis for the diversification and development of tourism, because of which, despite the blow after the June events, we are again talking about the positive dynamics of tourism and growth by an average of 6-7%, " Turnava said.

According to her, the increase in direct flights is very important for the population.

"The increase in direct flights is very important for our population, especially in terms of preferential prices of low-cost airlines, which made it possible for many of our fellow citizens to visit European cities for the first time, visit relatives, go to study or treatment," Turnava said.

Earlier, the head of the national Bank of Georgia Koba Gvenetadze said that as a result of the cancellation of air traffic by Russia, Georgia received less income from tourism in the amount of 300 million dollars.

In January-November of this year, Georgian airports served 4.9 million passengers, which is 4% more than in the same period in 2018.

According to the civil aviation Agency, an increase of about 16% was forecast during this period, but the slowdown was due to the cessation of air traffic between Georgia and Russia.

According to the National tourism administration of Georgia, from January to November foreigners made about 8.7 million visits to Georgia, which is 7.2% more than in the same period last year. At the same time, the Russians continue to lead in the number of visits. During this period, they carried out more than 1.4 million visits to Georgia, which is 4.9% more than in the period from January to November last year.

sputnik-georgia.ru