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Georgia Pivots to High-Yield Tourism Economy: Complete 2026–2030 Guide to Regional Travel, Wine Trails, and Ecotourism

Georgia transitions to high-yield sustainable tourism, expanding international receipts to $4.69B, cutting urban congestion, and developing ecotourism by 2030.

Kunal K Choudhary
By Kunal K Choudhary
16 min read
Georgia Pivots to High-Yield Tourism Economy: Complete 2026–2030 Guide to Regional Travel, Wine Trails, and Ecotourism

Georgia is accelerating a strategic pivot toward high-yield, sustainable tourism, as international travel receipts climbed to $4.690 billion and total sectoral expenditure reached GEL 18.6 billion, driving aggressive national investments into regional ecotourism, viticulture corridors, and direct aviation connectivity through 2030.

Across the historic avenues of Tbilisi, the alpine ridges of Svaneti, and the sub-tropical shores of Batumi, Georgia is reengineering its visitor economy.

Rather than chasing raw arrival headcounts that risk straining public infrastructure and diluting historic communities, the South Caucasus nation is realigning its national tourism master plan around high-spending international travelers, extended overnight stays, dispersed regional itineraries, and community-based ecotourism.

===================================================================================
          GEORGIA TOURISM MACROECONOMIC & SECTORAL BENCHMARK 2026–2030
===================================================================================
 [MACROECONOMIC PERFORMANCE & REVENUE METRICS]
  * International Travel Receipts (2025): $4.690 billion (up 6.0% YoY; $4.425B in 2024).
  * Total Foreign Visitor Spending: GEL 15.0 billion (~$5.5 billion), up 76% vs 2019.
  * Domestic Resident Travel Spend: GEL 3.6 billion across 8.40 million internal trips.
  * Combined National Tourism Output: GEL 18.6 billion (~$6.8 billion).
  * Direct GDP Contribution: 7.3% in 2024 (GEL 5.9B output vs GEL 3.6B in 2019).
  * Average Spend Per Foreign Journey: GEL 2,187 (~$800) with 5.6 nights average stay.

 [BORDER CROSSINGS & TRANSIT VOLUMES]
  * Total Border Crossings (2025): 7.8 million entries across all entry posts.
  * Overnight Foreign Tourist Arrivals: 5.52 million visits (up 8.4% YoY).
  * Air Arrivals Share: 41.6% (2.85M passengers; TBS 65.4%, BUS 18.3%, KUT 16.3%).
  * Land Border Crossings: 57.6% (3.95M visits; Sarpi / Turkey logged 1.21M entries).

 [STRATEGIC 2030 ECOTOURISM BENCHMARKS]
  * Protected Area Trail Network: Expanding from 1,551 km (68 trails) to 1,822 km (78 trails).
  * Certified Eco-Guesthouses: 2,600 eco-certified beds (10% of regional inventory).
  * Annual National Park Visits: Targeting over 1.9 million visits to protected reserves.
===================================================================================

Macroeconomic Evolution and the High-Yield Hospitality Transition

An analysis of Georgia's official macroeconomic records reveals a structural transformation in how the hospitality industry interacts with the broader economy.

In 2024, hospitality-focused enterprises generated 7.3% of Georgia's gross domestic product (GDP). While this reflects a relative mathematical contraction compared to the 8.3% recorded in 2019, the aggregate nominal monetary output produced by travel operations jumped from GEL 3.6 billion in 2019 to roughly GEL 5.9 billion by 2024.

This apparent paradox occurred because other domestic sectors—notably logistics, information technology, construction, and renewable energy—expanded at an even faster pace, creating a more diversified national economic base.

GEORGIA HOSPITALITY OUTPUT VS. GDP SHARE DYNAMICS

METRIC PARAMETER 2019 PRE-PANDEMIC BENCHMARK 2024–2025 RECORD
Sectoral Output (USD) ~$1.25 billion ~$2.18 billion
Direct Share of GDP 8.3% 7.3% (Other sectors up)
Foreign Travel Receipts $3.268 billion $4.690 billion (+43.5%)
Total Border Entries 9.35 million 7.80 million entries
Core Overnight Tourists 5.08 million 5.52 million tourists
Average Foreign Spend GEL 1,240 (~$430) GEL 2,187 (~$800)

For international travelers and destination strategists, these fiscal measurements reflect a deliberate policy pivot. Tourism authorities are no longer prioritizing sheer arrival volumes.

Instead, destination planners are prioritizing high-yield international travelers who stay longer, patronize boutique lodging, engage with cultural artisans, and spend directly in regional communities outside the capital.

HIGH-YIELD TOURISM TRANSITION MODEL IN GEORGIA

Category / Entity Details / Impact
LEGACY VOLUME-DRIVEN MODEL (PRE-2020) STRATEGIC VALUE-DRIVEN MODEL (2026–2030)
Focus on total border crossing counts Focus on net foreign receipts & yield
Heavy congestion in central Tbilisi Dispersal across Kakheti, Svaneti, Racha
Short weekend and transit visits Extended 5.6+ nights multi-region stays
Generic budget accommodations Certified eco-lodges & boutique stays
Peak summer seasonal dependency Year-round gastronomy, wine, & ski tours

Expanding International Receipts and Category Spending Behaviors

International travel earnings inside Georgia achieved significant expansion in 2024, with total visitor expenditures climbing to $4.425 billion (a 7.3% rise over the preceding year).

This financial momentum continued through 2025, as travel receipts advanced further to $4.690 billion, marking an additional 6% year-over-year increase.

Simultaneously, international tourist visits (defined as foreign visitors spending at least one night in the country) climbed past 5.52 million, forming the core of the 7.8 million total border entries recorded across national immigration posts.

===================================================================================
         FOREIGN VISITOR EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN IN GEORGIA (2025)
===================================================================================
 [TOTAL SPENDING VOLUME: GEL 15.0 BILLION (~$5.5 BILLION)]
  * Hotel Accommodations & Lodging: 25.4% (GEL 3.81 billion)
  * Restaurants, Dining & Food Services: 23.3% (GEL 3.50 billion)
  * Internal Domestic Transportation: 13.0% (GEL 1.95 billion)
  * Shopping, Cultural Sites, Wine, & Guided Tours: 38.3% (GEL 5.74 billion)

 [AVERAGE SPEND PROFILE PER VISITOR TRIP]
  * Average Expenditure Per Journey: GEL 2,187 (~$800).
  * 2024 Benchmark: GEL 2,211 per journey.
  * Pre-Pandemic 2019 Benchmark: GEL 1,240 per journey.
  * Long-Term Net Change (2019–2025): +76% expansion in total foreign spending.
===================================================================================

Analysis of spending patterns shows that accommodation and dining absorb nearly half (48.7%) of all foreign capital entering the Georgian tourism ecosystem.

The slight stabilization of per-trip spending from GEL 2,211 in 2024 to GEL 2,187 in 2025 reinforces why national tourism strategists are prioritizing high-end hospitality inventory, Michelin-calibre culinary circuits, and experiential adventure packages that raise daily spend.

Spending Category Share of Foreign Spend Primary Beneficiaries Strategic Policy Target for 2030
Hotels & Lodging 25.4% Boutique hotels, rural guesthouses, resorts Expand 4- and 5-star regional eco-lodges
Restaurants & Food 23.3% Traditional taverns, wineries, urban dining Formalize regional culinary & cheese trails
Internal Transport 13.0% Georgian Railway, private drivers, rentals Modernize electric rail and mountain shuttles
Artisans & Tours 38.3% Mountain guides, craft markets, museums Expand certified guiding and artisan craft hubs

Aviation Modernization vs. Overland Gateway Logistics

Transportation data illustrates a structural shift in how international visitors enter Georgia.

While overland entry points historically absorbed the clear majority of international journeys, air travel expanded to capture 41.6% of all foreign arrivals in 2025, transporting more than 2.85 million travelers directly into the country.

GEORGIA ARRIVAL CHANNELS & PORTAL DISTRIBUTION (2025)

Entity / Facility Delays Cancellations Details
ENTRY CORRIDOR ANNUAL PASSENGERS SHARE OF TOTAL PRIMARY PROFILE
OVERLAND ROAD CROSSINGS 3.95 million 57.6% Regional neighbors
* Sarpi (Turkey Border) 1.21 million 30.6% of land High-density road
* Sadakhlo (Armenia) 0.88 million 22.3% of land Cross-border bus
* Red Bridge (Azerb.)* 0.42 million 10.6% of land Bilateral transit
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS 2.85 million 41.6% High-yield global
* Tbilisi (TBS) 1.86 million 65.4% of air Legacy flag carriers
* Batumi (BUS) 0.52 million 18.3% of air Black Sea resort
* Kutaisi (KUT) 0.46 million 16.3% of air European low-cost

Overland Checkpoints: The Sarpi Border Engine

Overland transit continues to serve as Georgia's largest physical entry channel, logging 3.95 million visits across all road border posts in 2025.

The Sarpi border checkpoint along the Black Sea coast with Turkey remains the single busiest land gateway, individually recording over 1.21 million entries—accounting for nearly one-third of all overland traveler traffic.

Streamlined customs processing, integrated electronic truck and passenger lanes, and modern intercity motorways connecting Trabzon to Batumi have solidified Sarpi as a vital commercial and leisure link connecting the Caucasus with Southern Europe and Anatolia.

De-Concentrating Capital Density: Distributing Visitors Across Regional Valleys

A central vulnerability of Georgia's historical visitor economy has been extreme geographical concentration.

During 2025, approximately 55% of all inbound foreign journeys included Tbilisi, with the capital welcoming an average of 313,900 foreign tourist trips each month out of a nationwide monthly average of 571,400 visits.

To prevent urban overcrowding, protect historic architectural districts like Old Tbilisi, and spread economic benefits into rural mountain valleys, national tourism planners are prioritizing regional dispersal.

===================================================================================
               REGIONAL TOURISM DISPERSAL MAP FOR GEORGIA
===================================================================================
 [TBILISI CAPITAL REGION]
  * Current Share: ~55% of all foreign visitor itineraries.
  * Strategic Shift: Positioned as cultural gateway, limiting stay to 2 nights before
    routing visitors into regional wine and mountain corridors.

 [KAKHETI (EASTERN WINE CRADLE)]
  * Core Appeal: 8,000-year Qvevri winemaking heritage, Alazani Valley, Sighnaghi.
  * Seasonal Expansion: Autumn Rtveli grape harvests and winter cellar gastronomy.

 [IMERETI & RACHA (CENTRAL HIGHLANDS & CANYONS)]
  * Core Appeal: Kutaisi historic hub, Bagrati Cathedral, Martvili Canyon, Racha wine.
  * Infrastructure: Anchored by Kutaisi Airport direct European flight connectivity.

 [SVANETI & SAMEGRELO (HIGH CAUCASUS ADVENTURE)]
  * Core Appeal: UNESCO medieval defense towers of Mestia and Ushguli, Mount Shkhara.
  * Adventure Focus: Multi-day trekking, mountaineering, and backcountry winter skiing.

 [ADJARA & SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI (COASTAL & VOLCANIC LAKES)]
  * Core Appeal: Batumi seaside, Vardzia cave monastery, Borjomi mineral springs.
  * Wellness Focus: Alpine thermal spas, protected wetlands, and high-plateau hiking.
===================================================================================

Extending Stay Durations to Unlock the Overnight Multiplier

In 2025, international visitors spent an average of 5.6 nights per trip in Georgia.

Total overnight journeys reached 13.92 million nationwide, comprising 5.52 million overnight stays by foreign tourists and 8.40 million domestic overnight journeys by Georgian citizens.

Econometric models show that every additional night an international visitor spends in regional Georgia multiplies local economic yield by 18%, directly elevating occupancy rates for family guesthouses, rural transport operators, and local guides.

THE OVERNIGHT STAY ECONOMIC MULTIPLIER EFFECT

Entity / Route Metrics Operational Status
STAY DURATION ESTIMATED SPEND PER TRIP ECONOMIC RECIPIENTS
1–2 Nights (Transit/City) GEL 850–GEL 1,200 ($310–$440) Airport taxis, hotels
3–5 Nights (Standard) GEL 1,800–GEL 2,400 ($660–$880) City restaurants, day
tour bus companies
6–9 Nights (Regional) GEL 3,200–GEL 4,800 ($1,170– Rural eco-guesthouses,
$1,750) local guides, wineries
10+ Nights (Explorer) GEL 5,500+ ($2,000+) Multi-valley guides,
horse-trek outfits

National Ecotourism Strategic Benchmarks Leading to 2030

Under Georgia's National Ecotourism Strategy 2030, sustainable nature-based travel is targeted to become the cornerstone of regional economic development.

The Agency of Protected Areas, operating under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, is implementing structured infrastructure investments across national parks.

===================================================================================
          GEORGIA 2030 PROTECTED AREAS & ECOTOURISM TARGETS
===================================================================================
 [INFRASTRUCTURE BENCHMARKS]
  * Marked Hiking Trails: Expanding from 1,551 km (68 trails) to 1,822 km (78 trails).
  * Trail Standards: Implementing unified international trail marking, digital GPS
    wayfinding, and multilingual safety signage.
  * Eco-Certified Guesthouses: Establishing 2,600 eco-certified beds in rural zones,
    representing at least 10% of total regional guesthouse capacity.
  * Protected Area Visitation: Target to surpass 1.9 million visits annually.

 [FLAGSHIP NATIONAL PARKS IN THE 2030 PROGRAM]
  * Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park: Expansive virgin spruce and beech forests;
    pioneering multi-day guided wilderness trekking circuits.
  * Lagodekhi Protected Areas: Ancient beech forests, alpine tarns, and Black Rock
    Lake trekking route along the Greater Caucasus ridge.
  * Kazbegi National Park: High-altitude alpine pastures beneath Mount Kazbek (5,054m);
    Gergeti Trinity Church and Truso Valley gorge.
  * Vashlovani National Park: Semi-desert badlands, pistachio savannas, and Takhti-
    Tepha mud volcanoes in Georgia's extreme southeast.
===================================================================================

ECO-CERTIFICATION STANDARDS FOR GEORGIAN GUESTHOUSES

Category / Entity Details / Impact
CERTIFICATION PILLAR MANDATORY CRITERIA REQUIRED FOR ACCREDITATION
Renewable Energy & Waste Solar water heating or energy-efficient wood heating;
Management zero single-use plastics; comprehensive waste sorting
Local Food Sourcing Minimum 70% of meal ingredients sourced from within
30 km radius; organic farm-to-table breakfast menus
Cultural Preservation Traditional architectural facades; stone/wood elements
& Community Engagement preserved; hiring accredited local village guides

These targeted investments enable Georgia to capture high-value European and North American hikers, birdwatchers, and botanical tourists who seek low-impact, ecologically responsible travel experiences.

Viticulture Heritage, Qvevri Traditions, and Gastronomic Tourism

Georgia is universally recognized by archaeologists and viticulturists as the birthplace of wine, boasting an unbroken 8,000-year winemaking tradition.

The ancient Georgian method of fermenting and aging grape juice in subterranean earthenware vessels called Qvevri was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.

GEORGIA'S PREMIER WINE AND GASTRONOMY CORRIDORS

Entity / Route Metrics Operational Status
WINE REGION INDIGENOUS GRAPE VARIETIES SIGNATURE CULINARY PAIR
Kakheti (Alazani Valley) Saperavi (Rich Red Tannic), Mtsvadi (Vine-branch
Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Khikhvi pork skewers), Shoti
Imereti (West Georgia) Tsolikouri, Tsitska, Krakhuna, Imeruli Khachapuri,
Otskhanuri Sapere Pkhali, walnut dishes
Kartli (Central Plains) Chinuri, Goruli Mtsvane, Shida Kartli roasted
Shavkapito (Light Pinot style) lamb and trout
Racha-Lechkhumi Aleksandrouli, Mujuretuli Shkmeruli (Garlic roast
(Blended for Khvanchkara red) chicken), Lobiani

Gastronomic expenditures represent 23.3% of all foreign visitor spending in Georgia, generating GEL 3.50 billion in annual revenue.

By formalizing curated wine routes that link historic family maranis (wine cellars) with boutique vineyard estates, regional authorities successfully attract high-spending connoisseurs outside the crowded summer high season.

The annual Rtveli grape harvest in September and October, alongside winter cellar tastings and springtime culinary festivals, ensures steady year-round cash flow for agrarian communities.

Domestic Travel Synergy: Supporting Year-Round Sectoral Resilience

While foreign receipts drive foreign exchange reserves, domestic travel provides the stabilizing backbone of Georgia's hospitality industry.

In 2025, Georgian residents completed 8.40 million internal journeys, contributing GEL 3.6 billion (~$1.3 billion) in domestic travel spending.

When added to the GEL 15.0 billion generated by international visitors, Georgia's total internal tourism spending reached a record GEL 18.6 billion (~$6.8 billion).

TOTAL GEORGIAN VISITOR ECONOMY SPENDING STRUCTURE (2025)

Entity / Facility Delays Cancellations Details
REVENUE SOURCE ANNUAL VOLUME (GEL) ANNUAL VOLUME (USD) PERCENT SHARE
Foreign International GEL 15.0 billion ~$5.50 billion 80.6%
Domestic Residents GEL 3.6 billion ~$1.30 billion 19.4%
TOTAL COMBINED SPEND GEL 18.6 billion ~$6.80 billion 100.0%

Domestic tourism serves as a vital economic buffer during geopolitical fluctuations or international airline schedule disruptions.

During the winter ski season in Gudauri, Bakuriani, and Mestia, as well as spring wellness breaks in Borjomi and Tskaltubo, domestic travelers maintain hotel occupancy rates and ensure regional transport lines remain financially viable throughout the entire calendar year.

Comprehensive Traveler Logistics Guide: Navigating Georgia

Navigating Georgia is straightforward, safe, and rewarding when armed with current logistical knowledge.

===================================================================================
                 GEORGIA TRAVELER LOGISTICS & PLANNING CHECKLIST
===================================================================================
 [VISA & IMMIGRATION POLICY]
  * Visa-Free Travel: Citizens of the European Union, United States, Canada, UK,
    Australia, GCC states, and dozens of other nations can enter Georgia VISA-FREE
    for up to 365 days (one full calendar year) for tourism or remote work.
  * Passport Validity: Passports should be valid for the duration of intended stay.

 [CURRENCY, BANKING, & CONNECTIVITY]
  * National Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL). Exchange rate ~2.70–2.75 GEL = $1 USD.
  * Digital Payments: Contactless credit/debit card acceptance is standard in Tbilisi,
    Batumi, and Kutaisi. In remote mountain hamlets (Svaneti, Tusheti), carry cash.
  * Telecom & eSIM: Magti, Silknet, and Cellfie offer excellent 4G/5G coverage.
    Magti provides the strongest cellular reception across high-altitude mountain passes.

 [INTERNAL TRANSIT MODES & BOOKING]
  * Georgian Railway: Modern Swiss-built Stadler double-decker electric trains connect
    Tbilisi to Batumi in 5 hours; book tickets via the official railway app or TBC Pay.
  * Intercity Minibuses (Marshrutkas): Depart from Didube bus station in Tbilisi
    to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda), Kutaisi, and Telavi; inexpensive cash fares (~15–20 GEL).
  * Domestic Mountain Flights: Vanilla Sky operates scheduled regional flights from
    Natakhtari airfield (30 mins outside Tbilisi) to Mestia (Svaneti) and Ambrolauri
    (Racha); flights cost ~60–90 GEL each way but book out weeks in advance.
===================================================================================

OPTIMAL INTERCITY TRANSIT OPTIONS ACROSS GEORGIA

Entity / Facility Delays Cancellations Details
ROUTE TRANSPORT MODE DURATION ESTIMATED FARE
Tbilisi to Batumi Stadler Train 5 hours 35–75 GEL
Tbilisi to Stepantsminda Marshrutka Minibus 3 hours 15–20 GEL
Natakhtari to Mestia Vanilla Sky Flight 45 minutes 90 GEL
Kutaisi to Mestia Shared 4WD Shuttle 5.5 hours 40–50 GEL
Tbilisi to Telavi Shared Taxi / Van 2 hours 15–25 GEL

Safety and Mountain Etiquette in the Greater Caucasus

When exploring high-altitude regions like Svaneti, Kazbegi, or Tusheti:

  • Trail Navigation: Download offline topographic mapping applications (such as Maps.me or Gaia GPS). Mountain weather can change abruptly; check local forecasts from the National Environmental Agency before setting out on high passes.
  • Shepherd Dogs: Hikers traversing alpine pastures should carry trekking poles and stay clear of livestock herds guarded by Caucasian shepherd dogs.
  • Cultural Decorum: When visiting Georgian Orthodox churches and monasteries (such as Gergeti Trinity or Gelati Monastery), dress modestly. Women must cover their heads with a scarf and wear a long skirt (wraparound skirts and headscarves are provided at entrances); men must wear long trousers.

Macroeconomic Scenario Forecasting Through 2030

Economic modeling by Caucasus regional financial institutions projects three distinct potential growth trajectories for Georgia's tourism economy through 2030:

GEORGIA 2030 TOURISM ECONOMIC SCENARIO PROJECTIONS

Entity / Route Metrics Operational Status
SCENARIO MODEL MACROECONOMIC CONDITIONS 2030 TOURISM IMPACT
1. Baseline Scenario Moderate global growth, stable International receipts
(Most Probable) aviation expansion, steady GDP reach $6.2 billion; GDP
performance across all sectors share stabilizes ~7.5%
2. Optimistic Scenario Rapid high-yield adoption, Receipts surpass $7.5
(High-Value Pivot) expanded regional luxury stays, billion; tourism share
lengthened stays to 6.5 nights expands to 9.2% of GDP
3. Pessimistic Scenario Geopolitical transit disruption Receipts drop below
(Disruption Risk) in Black Sea, global recession, $3.8 billion; heavy
regional aviation bottlenecks domestic reliance

In the baseline scenario, steady monetary expansion ensures that tourism maintains its vital role in foreign exchange generation while supporting hundreds of thousands of regional livelihoods.

In the optimistic scenario, successful attraction of affluent international adventure travelers and wine connoisseurs allows the travel economy to outpace baseline projections, cementing Georgia's status as the Caucasus region's premier sustainable tourism destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the shift in Georgia's tourism economy between 2019 and 2025?

Georgia shifted from pursuing mass arrival volumes to targeting high-yield international visitors. While direct GDP share shifted from 8.3% to 7.3% due to faster industrial diversification, total foreign travel spend surged 76% from 2019 to GEL 15.0 billion ($4.69B receipts).

How accessible is Georgia for international tourists arriving by air?

Aviation accounted for 41.6% of foreign arrivals in 2025 (over 2.85 million passengers). Tbilisi Airport handled 65.4% of air arrivals, while Kutaisi Airport handled 16.3% via European low-cost carriers, and Batumi Airport captured 18.3% for Black Sea resort access.

What are Georgia's 2030 ecotourism targets for protected areas?

Georgia aims to expand marked trails from 1,551 km to 1,822 km across 78 designated routes, develop 2,600 eco-certified beds (10% of regional guesthouse capacity), and welcome over 1.9 million annual visitors to national parks like Borjomi-Kharagauli and Kazbegi.

How long can international travelers stay in Georgia without a visa?

Citizens of more than 90 countries—including the United States, European Union member states, the UK, Canada, Australia, and GCC nations—can enter Georgia visa-free and stay for up to 365 days for tourism, business, or remote work.


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Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, travel policies, regulations, and conditions change rapidly. Always verify information with official sources before making travel decisions. Nomad Lawyer makes no representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or suitability of the information provided. Readers should consult qualified professionals for advice specific to their circumstances. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nomad Lawyer.

Tags:Georgia TourismTbilisi TravelCaucasus TravelKakheti Wine RoutesSvaneti EcotourismKutaisi AirportTourism EconomicsSustainable Travel 2030
Kunal K Choudhary

Kunal K Choudhary

Co-Founder & Contributor

A passionate traveller and tech enthusiast. Kunal contributes to the vision and growth of Nomad Lawyer, bringing fresh perspectives and driving the community forward.

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