The department of tourism and resorts of Ajara publishes tourism statistics based on occupancy rate at hotels. During summer season 2014 Ajara hosted unprecedented number of tourists. In January-August, 2014 the number of tourists has increased by 10, 41 % compared with the same period of 2013.

According to the statistics the biggest number of tourists entering our region comes from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Armenia and Poland. As for percentage increase the following countries stand out: Kazakhstan (+63,4%), Russia , (+37,6%), Armenia (36,8%), Azerbaijan(+35,7%), Belorussia (+35,7%), Poland (+28,4%), Ukraine (+17,6%), Lithuania (14,5%). In total, hotels accommodated 344 274 tourists in January-August period.

It is important to note, that significant number of tourists opt for private guesthouses and apartments while staying in our region. However, the above mentioned data do not count a private sector. Currently, a new methodology of statistics is being worked out at the department that will also encompass a private sector in the future.

Additional research has been conducted based on the information provided by a border defense department of Georgian ministry of internal affairs. To compare January-August period 2014 with the same period of last year the number of foreign tourists entering Ajara region via Batumi International Airport is increased by 30 %, while the statistics of foreign tourists using sea transportation is grown by 11 %.

As reported by a border defense department of Georgian ministry of internal affairs the following countries show significant increase: Ukraine (+101%), Belorussia (+86%), Poland (+80%), Azerbaijan (+38%), Kazakhstan (+28%), Russia (+15%), Israel (+9%), Kuweit (+149%) and Saudi Arabia (+67%). In addition positive tendencies are noticed l in statistics of European tourists: Estonia (+186%), Great Britain (+57%), Lithuania (+39), Germany (+ 21%).