Tourism in Abkhazia

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Tourism in Abkhazia has been an important part of its economy. Visiting Abkhazia for non-Georgian citizens is technically illegal under the Georgian law, by which the Georgian government prohibits most foreigners from entering the disputed territory except from the Georgian side, which in turn is not usually allowed by the Abkhaz authorities. [1] Abkhazia continues to be accessible for tourists coming from the Russian side of the Abkhazia–Russia border which is not under Georgian control. Low prices and an absence of any visa requirements attracts Russian tourists especially those who can not afford the vacations in Turkey, Egypt, Bulgaria and other popular Russian touristic directions. [2] [3]

Contents

Background

During the time of the Soviet Union, Abkhazia's Black Sea beaches attracted tourists from a number of surrounding countries, constituting a 40 percent share of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic's tourism market. Prior to the 1992-93 war in Abkhazia, over 202,000 tourists visited the region every year. [4] Abkhazia is now a disputed region, with Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru as the only United Nations member states that recognise the territory as an independent nation.[ citation needed ]

Despite the risks involved, about one million tourists visit Abkhazia each year, mainly from Russia. [5] One of the attractions of visiting Abkhazia as opposed to other Black Sea coastal towns, such as Sochi, is the lower cost of visiting the breakaway state. [6] One night's accommodation in Gagra, for example, cost US$25 in 2003, with the cheapest hotel in the region setting a rate of US$12 for a room and meals in that year. A trainride from a Russian border town of Sochi to the Abkhazian capital of Sukhumi only cost US$1 in 2003. However, Abkhazia's tourism facilities are below Western standards, with much of its infrastructure dating back to the Soviet era. [4]

Tourism attractions

Abkhazia lies on the coast of the Black Sea, and as such, much of its tourism appeal is derived from its coastal resort towns. A number of resort facilities exist in easy and cheap reach of Russian tourists, with Sukhumi and Gagra two of the most popular towns. Tourism is most prevalent in the region's north. [6] Some of the tourist attractions include:


As part of organized tourist groups from travel companies registered in Abkhazia or in Russia, tourists from all countries (except Georgia) can visit Abkhazia without an Abkhazian visa by land only through Russia, for a period of no more than 24 hours. Crossing the border with Abkhazia from Russia is free, but according to the Georgian law visitors may only enter Abkhazia from Georgia. (In practice, it is impossible for tourists to enter Abkhazia from Georgia, since the only checkpoint between them is open only to Abkhaz citizens and residents, barring special exceptions.) Despite that, the fact of crossing the border is easy to hide because Abkhazian customs officials don't make any stamps in visitors' passports since 2014. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sochi conflict</span> 1918–1919 military conflict between the Democratic Republic of Georgia and Russia

The Sochi conflict was a three-party armed conflict which involved the counterrevolutionary White Russian forces, Bolshevik Red Army and the Democratic Republic of Georgia, each of which sought control over the strategic Black Sea town of Sochi. The conflict was fought as a part of the Russian Civil War and lasted with varying success from June 1918 to May 1919, and ended through British mediation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhumi</span> Capital city of Abkhazia

Sukhumi is a city in a wide bay on the Black Sea's eastern coast. It is both the capital and largest city of the Republic of Abkhazia, a partially recognised state that most countries consider a part of Georgia. The city has been controlled by Abkhazia since the Abkhazian war in 1992–93. The city, which has an airport, is a port, major rail junction and a holiday resort because of its beaches, sanatoriums, mineral-water spas and semitropical climate. It is also a member of the International Black Sea Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bzyb (river)</span> River in northwestern Abkhazia

The Bzyb or Bzipi is one of the two largest rivers of Abkhazia and the twelfth longest river in Georgia. The river valley has rich biodiversity of herbaceous garden plants, particularly in the gorge section in the upper reaches where the most prominent and colourful bellflower Campanula mirabilis with profuse growth of 100 flowers per plant is given the name, the "Queen of the Abkhazian flora". During 1904-1917 it served as the border between the Russian Empire's Sukhumi Okrug and the Black Sea Governorate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia</span> 1992–1998 removal and flight of Georgians from Abkhazia

The ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia, also known in Georgia as the genocide of Georgians in Abkhazia, refers to the ethnic cleansing, massacres, and forced mass expulsion of thousands of ethnic Georgians living in Abkhazia during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict of 1992–1993 and 1998 at the hands of Abkhaz separatists and their allies. Armenians, Greeks, Russians, and opposing Abkhazians were also killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Athos</span> Town in Abkhazia, Georgia

New Athos or Akhali Atoni is a town in the Gudauta raion of Abkhazia situated some 22 km (14 mi) from Sukhumi by the shores of the Black Sea. The town was previously known under the names Nikopol, Acheisos, Anakopia, Nikopia, Nikofia, Nikopsis, Absara, and Psyrtskha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Abkhazia</span>

The history of Abkhazia, a region in the South Caucasus, spans more than 5,000 years from its settlement by the lower-paleolithic hunter-gatherers to its present status as a partially recognized state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)</span> War between Georgia and Abkhaz separatists

The War in Abkhazia was fought between Georgian government forces for the most part and Abkhaz separatist forces, Russian government armed forces and North Caucasian militants between 1992 and 1993. Ethnic Georgians who lived in Abkhazia fought largely on the side of Georgian government forces. Ethnic Armenians and Russians within Abkhazia's population largely supported the Abkhazians and many fought on their side. The separatists received support from thousands of North Caucasus and Cossack militants and from the Russian Federation forces stationed in and near Abkhazia.

Football is a major sport in Abkhazia. During Soviet times, the main club within Abkhazia itself was FC Dinamo Sukhumi, but Abkhazian footballers were prominent in the Georgian team FC Dinamo Tbilisi and in other Soviet teams. In 1994, after its declaration of independence from Georgia, Abkhazia organised a nine-team amateur league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subdivisions of Abkhazia</span>

During the Soviet-era, the Abkhaz ASSR was divided into six raions (districts) named after their respective capitals.

Many inhabitants of Abkhazia are Orthodox Christians, With significant minorities adhering to Islam and the Abkhaz neopaganism, or the "Abkhazian traditional religion". The influence of this last has always remained strong and has been experiencing a revival through the 1990s and 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Abkhazia</span>

The economy of Abkhazia is heavily integrated with the economy of Russia and uses the Russian ruble as its currency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abkhazian railway</span> State-owned railway company in Abkhazia

Abkhazian railway is a rail operator in the partially recognised state of Abkhazia. Under a monopoly agreement, it is fully managed and partially owned by Russian Railways for a ten year contract from 2009 to 2019.

In June and July 2008 a series of bombings took place in Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia, killing 4 and injuring 18 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abkhazia</span> Partially recognised state in the South Caucasus

Abkhazia, officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It covers 8,665 square kilometres (3,346 sq mi) and has a population of around 245,000. Its capital and largest city is Sukhumi.

The War in Abkhazia from 1992 to 1993 was waged chiefly between Georgian government forces on one side, Russian military forces on other side supporting separatist forces demanding independence of Abkhazia from Georgia. http://www.historyorb.com/russia/georgia.php Ethnic Georgians, who lived in Abkhazia fought largely on the side of Georgian government forces. Ethnic Armenians and Russians within Abkhazia's population, largely supported Abkhazians and many fought on their side. The separatists were supported by thousands of the North Caucasus and Cossack militants and by the Russian Federation forces stationed in and near Abkhazia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visa policy of Abkhazia</span> Policy on permits required to enter Abkhazia

Visitors to the Republic of Abkhazia must obtain an entry permit unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abkhazian Navy</span> Military unit

The Abkhazian Navy is an operational-strategic formation of the Abkhazian Armed Forces, with its headquarters located in the vicinity of Sukhumi lighthouse. Its primary mission is to ensure the security of the self-proclaimed state of Abkhazia on the Black Sea coast. The Navy consists of littoral combat boats, a battalion of marines, parts of coastal troops and special forces. Joint exercises are often held with the Russian Navy.

The Abkhazia operation was the military operation employed by the Democratic Republic of Georgia. The aim of this operation was to get territory of Abkhazia back which was occupied by Abkhazian Bolsheviks. The operation was successful.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abkhazia conflict (1918)</span> Armed conflict in Abkhazia in 1918

The Abkhazian conflict was an armed conflict in Abkhazia between the Georgian Democratic Republic, Russian Soviet Republic and Ottoman Empire. It consisted of a series of Bolshevik uprisings and an Ottoman landing defeated by the Georgian military.

References

  1. 1 2 "10 лет после войны с Грузией: как работает закон об оккупированных территориях". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). August 9, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  2. "В 2009 году туристический поток в". abkhasia.kavkaz-uzel.ru. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  3. Abkhazia
  4. 1 2 Chanadiri, Goga (August 22, 2003). "Abkhazia's beauty out of sight". Civil.ge. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  5. "Ростуризм увеличил туристические показатели сразу в несколько раз". tourbus.ru.
  6. 1 2 Weir, Fred (July 2, 2008). "Abkhazia's tourism fights to regain fabled legacy". Christian Science Monitor . Retrieved January 27, 2011.