Tourists decreased by 50 % , Russians do not rent apartments in Batumi.

The number of apartments and small hotels for rent in Batumi has decreased. According to them, compared to last year, there are significantly fewer daily rented apartments, although the number of tourists is still insufficient.

Examples of apartments for rent

• The apartment of Saba Doborginidze, located near the sea, is daily rented for 150 GEL, and this year, as they say, even 90 GEL per day is a rarity. This apartment can accommodate 3 people.

"The demand for the tourist sector has decreased very much. Added to this, they provide information that the sea is polluted and all this has greatly affected the number of tourists. "Domestic tourist demand is also lower than foreign demand," the "Batumi residents" say.

They say that last year Georgian rental apartments were in demand by Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians. "I attribute the decrease in tourist demand to the sea, as the infrastructure is the same as in Sharm el-Sheikh, and I don't know what else," says Saba Doborjinidze.

Georgi Shalikadze also rents an apartment in the neighborhood on a daily basis. He says that last year Georgian rental apartments were in demand by Russians, but now the demand has decreased. "I have information that last year Georgian rental apartments were in demand by Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians. This year, their numbers are down.

His words are confirmed by other apartment owners. "Tourist demand is down. I have two Orbi apartments, and there are more foreigners than Georgians in them, for example. I attribute this to panic over the state of the sea and it also affected the number of tourists. Very few tourists come from abroad, including Russia, which means they have no money," says Giorgi Shalikadze.

He says tourists from Arab countries and Israel prefer to stay in more expensive hotels and do not rent daily apartments. "That kind of tourist doesn't come to us. Also, Russians who choose to stay in Georgia buy apartments and do not rent. They have created their social media channels and now rent themselves. It is also competition," Georgiy says.

According to him, there is a decrease in tourists in Turkey now because of the current war, which also concerns Russia, people don't have money.