Georgia is a small country with enormous growth potential. The geographically favourable location, the very hospitable immigration policy, the pleasant climate, a fairly good infrastructure, a very humane tax burden for citizens and immigrants, as well as Georgia’s good cuisine are prompting more and more people from Europe and especially from Germany to take a closer look at this country.
Is the future at the Black Sea coast bright?
The author spent five weeks in the country in April and May 2021 and only had to put on a mask during the train ride from Tbilisi to Batumi – all in all, ergo, a very likeable travel destination. By the way, this has completely changed in April 2022, you rarely see a face mask anymore. Now the author is coming back to Batumi after 18 months in Africa and is quite curious to see how the city has changed. Of course, the weather will not be quite as sparklingly warm as in West Africa, but everything else promises a very dynamic change in this metropolis on the Black Sea.
Railways in Georgia
The Georgian Railway has modernised, the romantic Soviet wagons from the era of the Trans-Siberian Railway gave way to modern Stadler double-decker trains from Switzerland. Not exactly progress, I think. You don’t necessarily sit comfortably during the five-hour train journey Tbilisi – Batumi.
In addition, the passenger cannot freely choose a seat, but is assigned one. If you like to look out of the window at the very varied mountain landscape, you have to be really lucky to get a window seat facing the direction of travel. Not very customer-friendly if you have the misfortune to sit against the direction of travel on the aisle. There is no wifi on board and no power sockets.
Languages are spoken …
Not all people in the country speak English, but with hands and feet or sometimes the internet, communication works quite well. Shopping is more difficult if you are curious about the contents. And by no means every salesperson speaks or understands English.
Recently, the author wanted to find out whether the cooking oil in a bottle labelled in Russian was olive oil. The attempt to get the shop staff to make a clear statement ended miserably with them leaving the shop without this obscure oil.
Fortunately, this was an exception. With a little good will and patience, it is usually possible to find out the ingredients. Younger Georgians in particular speak some English, some even excellent English.
Is Georgia becoming a country of immigration for Europeans?
Apparently, Georgia is becoming a serious alternative to classic tourist destinations for more and more Germans, Austrians and other Europeans, and this Caucasian pearl is even gaining enormously in importance as an emigration country. Not only the liberal visa and entry policies speak for Georgia. The country is also one of the world’s top destinations in this respect in terms of taxation, without having the same negative image as Panama, for example.
Georgia offers much cheaper energy
The fairly low energy and living costs are among the other advantages of this small country. In May 2021, there were the following cost breakdown examples:
– One KW/h of electricity cost about €0.06 in spring 2021.
– Petrol and diesel were below one € per litre.
– Food prices were at a pleasantly low level for us € Europeans:
– 1 kilo of apples was available for 2 Lari, the equivalent of about 0.50€.
– 1 kg of lemons or bananas cost 4 Lari, about 1 €.
– Oranges or pears cost a little over 1 EURO.
– Vegetables were also usually much cheaper than in Germany. For example, 15 months ago, a kg of sweet and very tasty Georgian cherry tomatoes cost between 4 and 4.50 Lari, and onions usually cost 2 Lari per kg over the counter.
Cost of living are much lower
The cost of living in Georgia has also risen considerably, as of autumn 2022:
– One KW/h of electricity now costs about 0.08€.
– Petrol and diesel are 4 Lari and 4.70 Lari (1.20€ and 1.35€) respectively.
– Food prices for us €-Europeans are no longer at the favourable level of 2021, but are still significantly cheaper than in Germany or Austria and Switzerland:
– 1 kilo of apples costs from 4 lari, the equivalent of about 1.25€.
– 1 kilo of lemons or bananas cost 5 lari, about 1.40 €.
– Oranges or pears currently cost from 5 lari per kg….
– Vegetables are also still cheaper than in Germany. For example, a kg of the sweet and very tasty Georgian cherry tomatoes now costs between 5 and 5.50 lari, onions usually go for 3 lari per kg over the counter.
Wages and salaries in Georgia are at a low level
Wage and salary levels are low. Employees in supermarkets may earn the equivalent of €150 per month, similar to construction workers or unskilled labour. A teacher receives about 230€ per month, similar for other academics. Who drives all those Mercedes, Lexus or Audi luxury cars in the big cities? One could get the idea that all Georgians are wealthy. The ‚big money‘ in Georgia seems to be earned mainly by the self-employed.
How important is the travel industry for Georgia?
Tourism is of great importance to Georgia and contributes significantly to the economy. With over 8 million international visitors annually (before the pandemic), it generates significant revenue and creates jobs, especially in rural areas and the hospitality industry. Popular destinations such as Tbilisi, the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea coast attract tourists. Tourism also promotes cultural exchange and investment in infrastructure. It is an important driver of economic development and recovery after the pandemic.
Georgia have a 8000 years wine culture heritage
Georgia, located on the Black Sea’s eastern coast, offers a blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and diverse culture. Its coastal cities, like Batumi, attract tourists with beautiful beaches, modern architecture, and vibrant nightlife. The Black Sea region is also known for its subtropical climate and scenic mountains.
