Georgian Parliament official: disrupting tourism goal of those fueling Russophobia in Georgia

Davit Matikashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Thursday criticised individuals whom he accused of fueling Russophobia in Georgia, claiming that their actions are aimed at disrupting tourism and reducing the number of visitors to the country.

In his remarks, Matikashvili noted that the individuals involved are seeking to undermine Georgia’s economic development, particularly by targeting tourists.

“These people are trying to hinder our country’s economic development as much as possible. They mainly approach tourists. Disrupting tourism and reducing the number of tourists is clearly the goal of these people”, Matikashvili said.

He claimed that attempts to undermine Georgia’s economy had failed following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

“They could not bring down our country’s economy when they demanded this after the war started in Ukraine. Relations between nations are, of course, an entirely separate matter, and these xenophobic sentiments should not turn into that”, he concluded.