Despite the propaganda, Russian citizens still desire to arrive in Georgia, – Head of Tourism National Administration of Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili made this statement.

According to the data, in July the number of travelers from Russia decreased only by 6.4%, however, the growth in the January-July period is 22%.

“In July, the rate of land-based travel from Russia, including through the Kazbegi checkpoints, has been increased. Also, Citizens of Russia continue to use transit routes,” – Kvrivishvili said.

Today, the Head of Tourism National Administration of Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili has presented the international travelers’ statistics provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned Russia’s airlines from flying to Georgia, a day after a Russian lawmaker Sergey Gavrilov’s visit to the country prompted violent clashes between protesters and police in Tbilisi on June 20.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree imposing a temporary ban on flights, including commercial ones, from Russia to Georgia starting July 8.