Some developments are noticed in Armenian tourism industry. Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian Prime Minister, announced that the number of tourists visiting Armenia between January and June 2019 has drastically increased. The number is 14.4% greater compared to the number for the same period of 2018.

Prime Minister also mentioned that those tourists who return from Armenia bearing a good impression push the country’s reputation up and enhance its attractiveness.

Tigran Khachatryan, the Minister of Economy, announced that among tourists visiting Armenia, the number of German tourists has significantly increased. During the first half of 2019, 55,000 Russian citizens and 6,000 German citizens visited Armenia.

While Russia takes the leading position in absolute values, the percentage increase in the number of German tourists is the biggest one. Armenia also saw a notable rise in the fraction of tourists from Asia. The number of Chinese tourists increased by 53.5% even though the number is still small in absolute values and 22% more tourists from Japan visited Armenia during the period. Khachatryan mentioned that with the visa-free regime with China coming into force, Armenia will drive more Chinese visitors.

The Minister also noted with confidence that by the end of 2019, 15% more tourists visiting Armenia will be reported.

According to the National Statistical Committee of Armenia, 2018 saw 1,651,782 people visiting Armenia which is 10.5% more than in 2017.

According to the Armenian Ministry of Economy, the country had 719,531 visitors for the period of Jan-March 2019, which indicates 5.2% year-on-year growth.

Approximately 364,489 of these visits were paid by tourists accounting 502% more than for the same period in 2018 (Pashinyan: 14.4% year-on-year growth in foreigners’ visits to Armenia in 1st H 2019, ARKA.am (July 17, 2019) (in English), German Tourists start to visit Armenia significantly more, ARMENSPRESS (July 18, 2019) (in English)).