Georgian Parliament official accuses foreign-funded groups of using Russophobia to foster national hostility

Giorgi Gabunia, the Chair of the Culture Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday criticised what he described as an organised campaign targeting Russian tourists, warning that calls such as “spit in the food if the customer is a Russian tourist” damage Georgia’s international image and tourism sector.

In his remarks, Gabunia stressed that such statements discourage not only Russian visitors but also tourists from other countries.

“When such remarks are made, neither French nor Kazakh tourists, nor representatives of any other country, will want to come”, he said.

Gabunia argued that what he called a “Russophobic policy” is aimed not only at bullying and insulting individual tourists but also at fueling broader ethnic and national tensions. He claimed that efforts to demonize everything associated with Russia, including Russian music and poetry, are part of a well-organised campaign financed from abroad.

The lawmaker noted that some representatives of Georgia’s cultural sector have expressed opposition to holding concerts in Russia, which he said is their right. However, he drew a distinction between personal opinions and public calls directed at society and artists who believe cultural ties with Russia should be maintained.

“We are Georgians, a nation with a great culture and a rich history. There has never been ethnic strife or national hatred in our country. A deliberate campaign calling on people to ‘spit in the food’ if the customer is a Russian tourist damages the country’s image. When such statements are made, neither French tourists, nor Kazakhs, nor representatives of any other nation will want to come. The focus is being placed on a Russophobic policy that is very well organised and aims not only to bully and insult specific tourists, but also to fuel broader national hostility, create tensions between states, and increase risks to the country’s security”, Gabunia concluded.