Georgian tour operators will be granted additional time to comply with new regulatory requirements under proposed legislative amendments aimed at easing the transition to a revised tourism oversight system.
According to the draft law, mandatory registration for travel companies and tour guides in the database of Georgia’s National Tourism Administration — replacing the current register of economic activities — has been postponed until January 1, 2027. The registration procedure will also be free of charge.
The legislation further delays the establishment of a reserve fund designed to protect tour operators from bankruptcy through the use of clients’ funds. The measure is now scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2030.
Under the proposed rules, companies operating without the required registration from 2027 onward will face fines of 500 lari (approximately $185), while repeat violations will result in penalties of 1,000 lari (around $370).
The draft law also introduces stricter penalties for companies offering high-risk tourism services without proper certification. Violators could face fines ranging from 3,000 ($1,100) to 6,000 lari ($2,200). Breaches of technical regulations would carry penalties of between 1,500 ($550) and 3,000 lari.
The Georgian government is expected to define the list of high-risk tourism activities and establish the corresponding insurance requirements as part of the new regulatory framework.
By Vafa Guliyeva
