Formation of Georgian resorts started in the first half of the 19th century. In the second half of the 19th century there were developed resorts in Borjomi and Abastumani, Kojori turned into a dacha area. At the close of the 19 the century it began developing resort resources of the Black Sea coast. Sokhumi was recognized as climatic resort having high medical characteristics. There were built: resort complex in Gagra, the first-rate sanatorium in Russian empire in Gulripshi, boarding houses and dachas on the shores of Ajara (Kobuleti, Makhinjauri, Tsikhisdziri). However level of distinctive features for resort resources was slightly considerable and social basis - quite limited.

Thanks to exclusively diverse climatic and balneological resorts of various medical types there are 102 resorts and 340 resort places operating in the country.

Bulk of resorts is located at the coastal and mountain regions.

Mountain zone is distinguished with beautiful landscapes, healthy climate and lots of sources. Positive characteristics of mountain climate - clarity of the air, solar radiation intensity (including ultra-violet), due to which it is biologically more active, moderate (in comparison with lower zone) temperature in summer also promoting a holiday.

Particularly favourable climatic conditions are in lower mountain (500 - 1000 m above sea level) and medium mountain (1000 - 2000 m above sea level) zones where majority of mountain climatic and balneologic resorts are concentrated. At the height of 700 m above sea level most of the resorts are dominated (Nabeghlavi, Zvare, Nunisi, Tkhvarcheli, etc.); at the height of 700 - 1000 m above sea level - balneologic resorts (Borjomi, Sairme, Utsera, Surami), and at the height of 1000 - 1500 m above sea level - mountain climatic ones (Abastumani, Tsageri, Tsemi, Java, Kojori, Kiketi, Manglisi). Zone at the height of 1500 - 2000 m above sea level is used mainly in the west Georgia with the resort purposes (Shovi, Bakhmaro, Lebarde, Avadkhara). Bakuriani is a medium mountain resort in the east Georgia. In the resorts located in mountain zone the following diseases are successfully healed: pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, anemia, several forms of cardiovascular diseases, neuroses, etc.

Black Sea coasts with the wonderful climatic conditions represent an important zone for the developmet of resorts. In this zone there are basically climatic resorts - Gagra, Pitsunda, New Afoni, Gudauta, Sokhumi, Batumi, Kobuleti, Makhinjauri, Green Cape, Ureki and etc. Here climate is humid subtropics with mild winter and a long hot summer. Season for sea bathing lasts 5-6 months. Climate-therapy is highly efficient in the course of a year. Sea climate is well used for curing patients with ill organs circulation of the blood and respiration, dynamic disease of nervous system, also for a holiday with the purpose of first and repeated prophylaxis of the above mentioned diseases.

The great part takes using of mineral waters in sanatorium resort complex. There are all kinds of mineral waters in Georgia and counts more than 2000 mineral springs. Richness and variety of mineral waters compose a possibility for treatment, prophylaxis and rehabilitation of patients with ill cardiovascular, neuroses, digestive systems, female disorders, endocrine, supporting motor system on resorts of the republic.

Carbonaceous mineral springs are the most widespread. These waters are basically used for treating stomach, bowels, liver, bile, several urological diseases, and diabetes. On the basis of cold and thermal carbonaceous waters the following balneologic resorts are operated: Borjomi, Shovi, Utsera, Muashi, Nabejlavi, Sairem, end etc.

Thermal sulfide, radon, nitric, flinty mineral waters possess high therapeutic characteristics used for curing diseases of joint, peripheral neuroses, skin and female disorders. These waters are used in the following resorts: Tskhaltubo, Tbilisi, Nunisi, Tkvartcheli, Gagra, Sukhumi, Makhinjauri, Zekari, Aspindza.

Places of medical mud complete resources of Georgian resorts. Resort Akhtala is operated on the basis of pseudo volcanic mud of Akhtala knoll, and in Tbilisi balneologic resort it is widely used mud from Lake Kumisi. Mud treatment is carried out for the following diseases: organs of support and motion, peripheral nervous system and female disorders.

Basic type of medical institution on resorts - is a sanatorium, where with the aim of medical-prophylaxis there are used natural curing factors in connection with nutritional therapy, physiotherapy exercises and other methods of treatment.

At the end of 90-ies 394 sanatoriums and resort institutions (100 thousand beds) are counted in Georgia.

Richness and diversity of natural factors have given a possibility to uncover 340 resort sights in Georgia favourable for health strengthening, treatment and prophylaxis of diseases. Resorts places are characterized with favourable climate having mineral waters and medical mud. Considerable part of population use natural medical factors without organization while visiting resort. Several resorts are equipped with modern amenities. There are built cottages; small bathrooms; mineral springs are well equipped with natural exits. Development of resorts represents a large reserve for building-construction of a vast network of various type medical profiles and creating of new resorts.