For years, Turkey has been the go-to place for foreign travel – thanks to its beautiful beaches, fascinating culture and budget-friendly getaways. But emerging reports suggest that tourism in Turkey is taking a hit, with the sector reeling from price hikes and dwindling numbers of visitors. Subsequently, one of its Eastern European neighbours is "causing panic" by drawing away tourists.
To the North-East of Turkey lies the mountainous Georgia, today by far the most visited country in the South Caucasus. The country is ramping up its appeal as a tourist hotspot by enhancing public transport, developing cruise ports, and upgrading international signage, in the hope that it will boost their economy.
On the flip side, Turkey, once known for being a budget-friendly destination, is grappling with a downturn as prices soar. On Reddit, travellers have been singing Georgia's praises – with some even dubbing it "the best" holiday spot. A particularly enthusiastic tourist shared their glowing review of capital Tbilisi following their visit.
Their post read: "Is it safe? YES! Initially, we stayed in Saburtalo, away from the protests, but later moved directly to Liberty Square. Even that was completely safe. We actually walked through the protests at night just to experience them - it felt more like a festive Christmas gathering than anything else".