Armenia’s Tourism Sees 4.6% Drop in 2024
In 2024, a total of 2,208,179 tourists visited Armenia, a 4.6% decrease compared to 2023, when 2,316,000 people traveled to the country. Lusine Gevorgyan, Chairperson of the Tourism Committee, presented these figures during a press conference summarizing the first 100 days of her tenure.
Despite the decline from the previous year, Armenia has seen steady long-term growth in tourism. Over the past five years, the sector has experienced a 16% increase. For comparison, in 2019, which was considered one of the most economically active years for Armenia, the country welcomed only 1.8 million tourists.
Gevorgyan spoke about the government’s ambitious plan to further boost tourism. Over the next five years, Armenia aims to attract at least 3 million tourists annually. To achieve this, officials are focusing on expanding key target markets, particularly in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries.
Another crucial aspect of this plan is improving air transportation. Discussions are underway to introduce dozens of new direct flights connecting Armenia to various destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Arab world. Increased air connectivity is expected to make the country more accessible and appealing to a wider range of international travelers.
Regarding tourist expenditures, the Tourism Committee is working with an international payment card provider to analyze spending habits. The data, which will be available in 2025, will provide detailed insights into how much visitors typically spend during their stay. However, preliminary estimates suggest that independent travelers spend an average of $700 per trip, while those using tour operators spend around $2,000.
Russia continues to be the largest source of tourists to Armenia. In 2024, 937,823 Russian visitors accounted for 43% of all incoming tourists. Georgia followed with 279,368 visitors (13%), while Iran ranked third with 178,785 tourists (8.4%). The United States and India also made it to the top five countries sending tourists to Armenia.
Gevorgyan noted that Armenia is seeing a rise in visitors from China, which could signal a potential new growth market. Officials are expected to explore strategies to attract more Chinese tourists in the coming years.
Despite the slight decline in tourist numbers this year, Armenia’s tourism sector remains on an upward trajectory. With strategic market expansion, improved air links, and a clear long-term vision, officials are confident that Armenia will soon surpass previous records and become an even more attractive destination for global travelers.
