Note: ReforMeter has conducted the tourism reform assessment once: Phase I – June 2023.

The Tourism Reform incorporates the amendments envisioned by the Tourism Draft Law, which was initiated by the Parliament of Georgia. In addition, it encompasses planned changes in the tax benefits system for agritourism and wine tourism service providers. The objective of the reform is to diversify tourism services, ensure high-quality services, protect consumer rights, and enforce safety standards. Additionally, the reform aims to promote regional tourism development through state policy coordination and enhanced cooperation between the public and private sectors. 

The need for reform stems from the outdated legislation in the tourism sector, which was adopted in 1997 and cannot meet the sector's contemporary needs. The current law does not address the quality of tourism services, the protection of consumers' rights and safety, or the registration system for tourism service providers. Furthermore, new legislation is required to fulfill the obligations undertaken by the association agreement.

Furthermore, new legislation is needed due to the obligations undertaken by the association agreement. To ensure legislative harmonization with the European Union, the law covers the implementation of Directive 2008/122/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 January 2009 on the Protection of Consumers in Respect of Certain Aspects of Timeshare, Long-term Holiday Product, Resale, and Exchange Contracts, as well as Directive (EU) 2015/2302 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on package travel and linked travel arrangements.