Georgia has updated tourism regulation so guides, tour operators and travel agencies must register in the National Tourism Administration database instead of the general economic register.
Unregistered tourism activity carries administrative fines from 500 GEL on a first offence, rising to 1,000 GEL for repeat violations. Services classified as high-risk without proper certification can attract penalties of up to 6,000 GEL.
Most provisions enter into force on 1 June 2026. The change moves licensing oversight to the agency responsible for tourism standards and registered operators.
Who is affected
The rules apply to licensed guides, inbound and outbound tour operators, and travel agencies that sell packaged services. Businesses previously registered only in the economic register will need to confirm their listing in the tourism database before the deadline.
Expats who work as freelance guides or run small agencies in Tbilisi, Batumi and other visitor hubs should verify whether their current paperwork covers tourism-specific activity under the new framework.
What changes in practice
Officials have described the shift as a way to align registration with tourism supervision and certification for riskier services. Fine levels are set in the adopted law; practical guidance from the National Tourism Administration is expected as the 1 June start date approaches.
The economic register remains in use for other business types. Tourism operators will need to follow the administration’s published steps to avoid penalties once the new rules apply.
