According to forecasts of Tourism and Resorts Department of Ajara, tourists' number in autonomy republic will double during 2008-2011 and will reach 800,000. Of which, 41% will account for foreigners (growth for the mentioned period should be 82%).
This year, 350,000 tourists are expected in Ajara - by 57% more than in 2006. Number of foreign tourists makes up 131,000 (or 37.4% of total), exceeding 2.6 times the figure of 2006.
The Department notes that value added, produced in the region this year, will reach 37 million lari, increasing by 23.3% compared with the last year. In 2008, the figure should be 39.6 million lari, growing by 7% accordingly.
According to 2006 data, 1,825 people were employed in hotels and restaurants in Ajara. Following from the region infrastructure development, their number will increase 4.8 times and make up 8,671 people, the Department predicts.
