Commentators described conflicts between tourists and locals as atypical for Georgia.

During trips to Georgia, there are refusals to understand Russian speech, imposition of services, and attempts at deception, but overall, the locals are friendly towards tourists, helping even without knowledge of the Russian language and not showing hostility due to Russian speech, social media users reported.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", several conflicts involving tourists have occurred in Georgia in recent months. For instance, in October, a man hit a tourist from Minsk at the Tbilisi railway station. The girl linked the attack to her speaking Russian, while the detained man explained his actions by a rude refusal to get acquainted. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia announced the initiation of a violence case.

Commentators left various reviews about their stay in Georgia

"Caucasian Knot" published a post on Facebook* on November 3, inviting readers to share their personal experiences of trips to Georgia. The post suggested sharing opinions on whether conflicts have increased or if they are just more frequently appearing on social media. Residents of Georgia were invited to share whether they have encountered rudeness from tourists and relocants. Readers were encouraged to describe specific cases, explain how conflicts were resolved, and share positive experiences of communication.

As of 1:00 PM Moscow time on November 4, this post on the Facebook* page of "Caucasian Knot", which has about 164 thousand followers, received 256 comments.

Several participants in the discussion shared unpleasant situations they noticed during trips or while living in Georgia. Svetlana Bolbot recalled an incident at a gas station. "This autumn we traveled around Georgia, and encountered no negativity. This time we were in Batumi and Kutaisi. Last time we were in 2023 – Tbilisi, Svaneti, Batumi. Once a lady at a gas station refused to understand me with a clear subtext, and that’s all, I can’t recall anything else. Mostly everyone was very friendly. I dream of going back to Chaukhi and Svaneti too, I love the mountains. I hope it works out," she wrote.

"My husband and I were in Georgia 5 years ago (we came to get married then, we are from different countries, and it was very easy to do there without terrible bureaucracy and long waits) and this summer. Yes, the situation has changed a lot, and the prices shocked us, they have risen significantly, almost like in Lithuania. But most people are still friendly, there was no aggression towards us, no one tried to fight over the Russian language. There is, of course, one unpleasant moment that often in the service sectors they try to impose something or inflate prices, but that has nothing to do with politics and language. I would say the same about Lithuania <…>", wrote Nastia Nordlund.

"It’s enough to be a good person and respect the traditions of the Kartvelians, and everything will be okay, especially since the traditions are very good and kind," wrote Maris Veselago, who, according to him, has lived in Georgia for 12 years.

Other commentators also shared their positive interactions with locals. Alexander Stern recalled how a passerby helped him in Tbilisi, even though they had no common language. "I approached a man in Tbilisi. He called someone and handed me the phone. His sister said he doesn’t speak Russian but would be happy to help. That’s how we became friends. I visit Georgia, and have had no problems. It’s a wonderful country," he noted.

"I have been to Batumi twice, and Tbilisi twice. I have quite close people there. I don’t know Georgian. I have never encountered rudeness or language problems. I will go again in the summer," wrote Naira Khachaturova.

"I live in Tbilisi and have never heard rudeness or hostility directed at me. On the contrary, there are many friendly people around who don’t hold grudges. Apparently, the internet is really a breeding ground for hostility," believes Tatyana Tverye.

Commentators identifying themselves as residents of Georgia expressed their views on the behavior of newcomers and what kind of reception they expect. "Maris Veselago, we respect all religions and all nations that treat us with respect," wrote Maka Tavadzhe. Comment

"There are no problems with newcomers as long as they are newcomers. When they start behaving like locals, that’s when problems will arise," believes Dato Lolomadze.

"If tourists don’t get "Suliko" and churchkhela, they consider it Russophobia and trumpet about it in all groups. It’s so nauseating to read their dissatisfied comments. We don’t invite them; they intrude themselves," wrote Ketevan Kalatozishvili.

Analysts deemed claims of mass conflicts with tourists in Georgia unfounded

Conflicts with tourists do not in themselves indicate a sharp change in attitude towards Russians, noted earlier senior researcher at the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Geographical Sciences Alexey Gunya. He linked the tension to a change in the attitude of Georgian society towards foreigners in general, including migrants. With a large number of arrivals from Russia, the likelihood of random clashes increases, and their publicity, in his opinion, can be used by political forces in both countries for their interests. "I believe that such cases cannot radically change tourists' attitudes towards trips to Georgia," Gunya told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

Isolated clashes are unlikely to affect the tourist season, suggested tour organizer and wine guide Anna Filatova. According to her, Russian tourists are accustomed to viewing Georgia as a convenient and safe destination and separating the political situation from leisure. "If such conflicts increase, it will change the overall picture," Filatova told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot". In her assessment, even if travelers do not immediately cancel their trips, they will be more attentive to reports of conflicts. If such reports are perceived as a sign of a persistent problem, it will be harder for Georgia to compete with other tourist destinations, Filatova noted.

Discussions about Russophobia in Georgia exaggerate the scale of the problem, stated earlier the founder of the "Center for Strategic Analysis" Nodar Kharshiladze. "Tens of thousands of Russian citizens live in Georgia today without any problems," Kharshiladze said.

Accusations of Russophobia are used in domestic political struggles, stated earlier the former ambassador of Georgia to Russia, a member of the party "Georgia First" Valery Chechelashvili. According to him, representatives of the ruling party "Georgian Dream" "try to hang this negative label on their opponents".