The inaugural Caspian Economic Forum, which was held in the hyper-developed but under-visited Awaza tourist zone, was high on expressions of intent but low on firm outcomes.
Tbilisi’s Russian expat community disputes Moscow’s narrative of a surge of Russophobia in the country, but some say that the ongoing tensions have put them in a complicated place.
Georgia’s economy is increasingly dependent on tourism, and that sector has become increasingly dependent on Russians. The losses from Russia’s tourism embargo could cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars.