Ten years after the war “08.08.08”: what is happening in the tourism industry of Abkhazia?
August 8 marks 10 years since the “five-day” war of the Russian Federation and Georgia "08.08.08." The fighting took place in South Ossetia, but the war affected another former territory of Georgia and the most important resort of the USSR on the Black Sea. AbkhaziaRussia has received official recognition as an independent state.
Since the end of the war, tourism in Abkhazia has been developing, but the country has been experiencing a crisis in the industry for the past two years. How has the tourism industry, resort infrastructure, and tourist flow changed in the country in the past 10 years? This is stated by specialists of leading tour operators, whose specialization is Abkhazia.
A huge country like Russia is the whole world for a small country like Abkhazia. We can realize all our interests through Russia, said Sergey Shamba, Abkhazian Foreign Minister in August 2008. The Russian Federation is the main supplier of guests to the Abkhazian coast.
According to experts of the tourism industry, the flow of tourists to Abkhazia has weakened in recent years. The “face” of the Russian tourist has changed, and the nostalgic factor that previously attracted to Gagra and Pitsunda does not play a major role.
Now travelers need a budget vacation and appropriate infrastructure, but not only hotel. After the growth of tourist flow caused by the “closure” of Turkey, Abkhazia loses a tourist. Causes: emergency 2017 – the murder of a tourist and a fire at an ammunition depot, and requests of travelers, strong competition with outbound destinations and resorts of the Krasnodar Territory and the Crimea.
This season, Abkhazia loses a lot to its main competitor, the Krasnodar Territory. “The advantages of Abkhazia are only the amazing beauty of nature, mountains and sea. But fans of these abstract concepts, not supported by other advantages, have become less ..., says the specialist of the travel industry.
The trend of falling demand for Abkhazia continues. Industry experts note 10-15% compared to 2017. Compared to 2016 and 2015, the fall is estimated at 25-30%.
There is a tourist in the direction, people are aware of what region they go to and what they can get there. The country needs to work on a model that has already been formed from “its” customers, which can be called “budgetary and environmentally friendly”.
The main factor that affects sales is price. Abkhazia, as before, in the minds of many is under the sign of budget recreation.