Foreign tourists in Georgia

The number of tourists visiting Georgia has increased by 36% compared with 2009. Following recommendations by the world tourism organisation, the Georgian ministry of economy and sustainable development conducted research on visitors to the country. During the first half of 2009 Georgia 574 000 foreigners visited Georgia, while during the same period of 2010 Georgia the figure was 783 000, of whom 773 000 were holiday makers. Around 34% of those arriving were on business trips. 24% are ethnic Georgians who live abroad and come home to visit their friends and families. Approximately 24% comes to Georgia on holiday; about 1% comes for medical reasons, while the rest come from neighbouring countries for shopping, education or in transit and so on. 81% of foreign visitors are male.