IMF Warns Iran War Threatens Georgia's 5% 2026 Growth as Iranian Tourist Arrivals Fall 49%

The International Monetary Fund said in its Article IV concluding statement that Georgia's economy remains on track for 5 percent growth in 2026, but warned the Iran war could weigh on that outlook through damage to tourism and energy. First-quarter 2026 data showed Iranian visitor arrivals to Georgia fell 49 percent year on year to 13,757, while revenue from Iranian tourists dropped 64 percent to 10 million dollars. Arrivals from Israel also declined 17.5 percent. Galt & Taggart, the investment arm of the Bank of Georgia, cut its 2026 tourism revenue forecast for the country from 5 billion to 4.9 billion dollars.