Sustainable Development of Mountain Tourism in Georgia
Abstract
Mountain tourism is a rapidly growing sector in Georgia, and the role of mountain and ski resorts in the development of the country’s tourism. Sustainable development of mountain tourism is one of the resources for economic growth in Georgia; furthermore, it is an important prerequisite for regional development, strengthening social capital and protecting natural heritage. The paper discusses the economic benefits derived from the visits of international travelers and the necessary conditions for sustainable development, and evaluates the influence of the number of visitors to Georgia and the income derived from international tourism based on statistical analysis. For this purpose, correlation-regression and dynamic analysis methods were used. Through secondary quantitative and qualitative research, we discussed important aspects necessary for the creation of sustainable mountain tourism in the country, for which an in-depth study was conducted. Consequently, several key problems were identified: insufficient infrastructure development, environmental threats, uneven distribution of tourism revenues, and limited involvement of the local population. The goal of the article is to analyze the development of sustainable mountain tourism, where one of the priority areas is the transformation of seasonal resorts into four-season resorts. All the above should be realized in accordance with the goals and recommendations of sustainable development.
Downloads
PlumX Statistics
References
2. Akhalaia, N., & Liparteliani, N. (2023). Problems of sustainable use of land resources in mountainous regions of Georgia. In International Scientific Conference: Natural Resources and Resorts as Sustainable Development Factors.
3. Business Insider Georgia. (2024, April 2). In 2023, the number of visits to mountain resorts exceeded the pre-pandemic level by 21%, reflecting the growth trend characteristic of domestic tourism (PMCG).
4. https://www.businessinsider.ge/ka/2023-tsels-mtis-kurortebze-vizitebis-raodenobam-pandemiamdel-dones-21-it-gadaacharba-rats-shida-turizmistvis-damakhasiatebel-zrdis-tendentsias-asakhavs-pmcg
5. Europe For Georgia. (2015, December 29). The “Mountain Law”: A benefit in the mountains, a possible problem for the budget. https://eugeorgia.info/ka/article/336/mtis-kanoni---shegavati-mtashi-shesadzlo-problema-biujetshi/
6. Gamsakurdia, T., Piranashvili, M., & Gogitidze, G. (2024). Expanding ecotourism opportunities: How solar energy is enabling sustainable growth for SMEs in Georgia. German International Journal of Modern Science, 78.
7. Georgian National Tourism Administration. (n.d.). Official website. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://gnta.ge/
8. Georgia Travel. (n.d.). Official tourism website. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://georgia.travel/
9. Grigol Robakidze University. (2025, September 24). GRUNI—participant in an international project.https://gruni.edu.ge/main/news/1758777193
10. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2011). Why invest in sustainable mountain development?FAO.
11. Iobashvili, T. (2015, December 29). The “Mountain Law”: A benefit in the mountains, a possible problem for the budget.Europe For Georgia. https://eugeorgia.info/ka/article/336/mtis-kanoni---shegavati-mtashi-shesadzlo-problema-biujetshi/
12. Kbiladze, D., Metreveli, Sh., & Kbiladze, T. (2023). Conceptual and empirical research aspects of sustainable macroeconomic development and its quantitative assessment in Georgia. Spectri. https://doi.org/10.52340/spectri.2023.08.02.14
13. Khozrevanidze, N., & Koblianidze, T. (2023). Tourism and recreational potential of the Western Georgian mountains. In International Scientific Conference: Natural Resources and Resorts as Sustainable Development Factors.
14. Katsitadze, N., Baliashvili, E., & Tushishvili, N. (2022). The way to save the mountainous regions of Georgia is tourism clustering!!! https://dspace.tsu.ge/server/api/core/bitstreams/6b6439ea-57d8-439a-b81e-82d2652992ae/content
15. Melashvili, M., Kistauri, N., & Kveladze, K. (2017). Sustainable tourism and its role in the sustainability of the country’s economy. (Journal title not provided; ISSN 2587-4691).
16. Meladze, M., Gvaramadze, A., & Dzimistarishvili, L. (2023). The use of digital technologies by Georgian travelers while purchasing a tourist product. https://doi.org/10.55896/2298-0202/2023/93-103
17. Metreveli, Sh., & Maziashvili, N. (2022). Tendencies of ecotourism development in Georgia. Diplomacy and Law, (1–2).
18. Mountain Trail Agency. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://mta.ski/ge/about
19. Nayak, M., Thönnessen, L., & De Palma, T. (2023). Winter holidays without snow—Sustainable destination development strategy using the example of Tyrol. In ISCONTOUR 2023: Tourism Research Perspectives.
20. National Statistics Office of Georgia. (n.d.). Official website. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://www.geostat.ge/en/
21. Ukleba, M. (2017). Recreation theory and practice. (Publisher not provided).
22. Uludağ Ski Resort. (n.d.). Official website. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://www.uludaginfo.com/
23. World Travel & Tourism Council. (n.d.). Official website. Retrieved September 27, 2025, from https://wttc.org/
24. Zeikidze, V. (2023). Directions for improving the development of mountain-ski resorts of Georgia. In International Scientific Conference: Natural Resources and Resorts as Sustainable Development Factors.
Copyright (c) 2026 Maka Piranashvili, Shorena Metreveli, Lizi Dzimistarishvili
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
