In 2024, Armenia hosted 2,208,179 tourists, reflecting a decrease of 4.6% from the previous year when the country welcomed 2,316,000 visitors. This was announced by Lusine Gevorgyan, head of the Tourism Committee, during her 100-day tenure review.
“Tourist arrivals dropped by 4.6% compared to 2023, when Armenia welcomed 2,316,000 visitors. However, if we look back to 2019″the most economically active and successful year”only 1.8 million tourists visited Armenia,” Gevorgyan said, as reported by Sputnik Armenia.
Gevorgyan reported a 16% growth in the tourism sector over the last five years, establishing a positive trend despite recent declines. The committee is committed to increasing annual tourist arrivals to 3 million within the next five years, aiming to enhance the economic impact of tourism in Armenia.
She highlighted the importance of the UAE and Gulf countries as key target markets for Armenia’s tourism efforts. In line with this strategic focus, Gevorgyan mentioned ongoing negotiations to establish numerous new direct flights connecting Armenia with major cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Discussing tourist spending, Gevorgyan emphasized the committee’s goal to increase the amount tourists spend during their visits. She detailed that expenditures vary based on how tourists arrange their trips. Independent travelers who plan their own itineraries spend approximately $700, whereas those opting for travel packages through agencies spend around $2,000.
To provide more precise data on tourist spending, the committee has partnered with an international payment system, which will offer insights into expenditures without compromising banking secrecy. The specifics of this agreement remain confidential as Gevorgyan declined to disclose the name of the payment system involved.
A breakdown of visitor numbers by country shows significant contributions from key source markets:
- Russia: 937,823 tourists (43% of the total)
- Georgia: 279,368 tourists (13%)
- Iran: 178,785 tourists (8.4%)
- China: Notable increase in arrivals
This data underscores the continued prominence of Russia, Georgia, and Iran in Armenia’s tourism landscape, with the U.S. and India also among the top five source countries.
