Tourism Market Situation in Georgia

Georgia attracts many tourists thanks to its natural beauty, rich history and hospitality. This opens up wide opportunities for foreigners who want to develop a business in the tourism sector: organizing excursions, transfers, accommodation and other tourist services. Often, expats start small - they buy a minibus or minivan, develop their own routes and offer excursions around Georgia.

However, with the adoption of the law "On Tourism", registration of tourist activities has become mandatory. This change is aimed at regulating the market and improving the quality of services.

Important changes and deadlines

Mandatory registration:

• From January 1, 2025 all subjects of tourism activities (guides, tour operators, hotels, instructors, etc.) must register in a special register.
• Registration is required for all those who provide services in the tourism sector: excursions, transfers, tour organization, accommodation services.

Fines postponed until 2026:

• Although registration will become mandatory from 2025, fines for its absence will only be applied from 2026. The fines will be up to 500 GEL for individuals and up to 1,500 GEL for legal entities.

Features for guides:

• The introduction of a mandatory guide certificate
is already being discussed.
• The transition period will allow working without fines, but additional requirements may come into force from 2026, including knowledge of the Georgian language and completion of special courses.

What is the register of tourism activities

The Special Register of Tourism Activities is a centralized database that includes all entities providing tourism services in Georgia. The register is maintained by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia through the National Tourism Administration.

The purpose of the register:

• To ensure transparency of the tourism services market;
• To increase trust among tourists and partners;
• To control the quality of services provided;
• To ensure compliance with the legislation by all market participants.

After registration in the registry, the business receives official status and the right to legally provide tourism services in Georgia.

The process of registration in the registry of tourism activities in Georgia

Steps for registration:

1. Registering an individual entrepreneur or company:
   • Open an individual entrepreneur (IE) or a legal entity (LLC). IE is suitable for small businesses due to the tax rate of 1% of turnover with an income of up to 500,000 GEL per year.
2. Submitting an application to the register:
   • Prepare the necessary documents:
     • Application for inclusion in the register;
     • Passport or residence permit (for foreigners);
     • Documents confirming the registration of an individual entrepreneur or company;
     • Lease agreement or document on the legal address.
   • The application can be submitted through the National Tourism Administration in electronic or paper format.
3. Checking the data and obtaining registration:
   • After checking the documents provided, your business will be included in the register.
   • You will be issued a registration certificate confirming the legality of your activities.
4. Updating information:
   • If the data changes (for example, changing the address, services or structure of the company), it is necessary to notify the administration and update the information in the registry.

Why is this important for expats

Many foreigners are already developing a successful business in the tourism sector in Georgia, offering individual excursions, transfers and accommodation.

Advantages of registration:

• Legal activity without the risk of fines;
• Increased customer confidence due to official status;
• Possibility of cooperation with hotels, restaurants and other partners on legal terms;
• Simplified tax regime for individual entrepreneurs (1% of turnover).

Risks of working without registration:

• Fines will be applied from 2026;
• Loss of trust of clients and partners;
• Possible problems with regulatory authorities.

Practical recommendations for starting a business

1. Plan ahead:
   • Open an individual entrepreneur with small business status to minimize the tax burden.
   • Register in the register of tourist activities before the end of 2024.
2. Create unique offers:
   • Develop interesting routes, collaborate with local hotels and restaurants.
   • Use the car to organize excursions and transfers.
3. Follow the changes in legislation:
   • Requirements for guides may become stricter, including mandatory certification and knowledge of the Georgian language.
4. Professional support:
   • ESPERO will help you open an individual entrepreneurship, register a tourist activity and obtain all the necessary documents for legal work in Georgia.

Why choose ESPERO for business support

ESPERO specializes in business registration and support in Georgia, offering:

• Full support for registration of individual entrepreneurs and inclusion in the register;
• Consultations on tax planning and optimization;
• Assistance in preparing documents for doing business.

Contact us today for a free consultation!

By cooperating with ESPERO, you can focus on developing your tourism business without worrying about legal nuances.

Conclusion

Mandatory registration of tourism activities in Georgia is an important step to create a civilized and competitive market. Expat businessmen working in the tourism sector should prepare for the new requirements in advance to avoid risks and successfully develop their business.

Don't leave your registration to the last minute! Contact ESPERO today and get professional support at all stages of opening and running a tourism business in Georgia.