Tourism in Abkhazia has been an important part of its economy. VisitingAbkhazia 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 theAbkhazia–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 inTurkey,Egypt,Bulgaria and other popular Russian touristic directions.[2][3]
During the time of theSoviet Union, Abkhazia'sBlack Sea beaches attracted tourists from a number of surrounding countries, constituting a 40 percent share of theGeorgian Soviet Socialist Republic's tourism market. Prior to the1992-93 war in Abkhazia, over 202,000 tourists visited the region every year.[4]Abkhazia is now a disputed region, withRussia,Nicaragua,Venezuela andNauru as the onlyUnited Nationsmember 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 asSochi, is the lower cost of visiting the breakaway state.[6] One night's accommodation inGagra, for example, costUS$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 ofSukhumi 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]
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Abkhazia lies on the coast of theBlack Sea, and as such, much of its tourism appeal is derived from itscoastal resort towns. A number of resort facilities exist in easy and cheap reach of Russian tourists, withSukhumi andGagra 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]
Abkhazia travel guide from Wikivoyage
