Armenia’s tourism season is showing extended growth and stronger year-round activity, according to Mekhak Apresyan, president of the Armenian Tourism Federation.

In comments to Armenpress, he said the traditional tourism season has expanded from March to mid-November, with rising visitor numbers and increasing arrivals during the New Year period. Apresyan also noted a year-on-year increase in inbound tourism.

Apresyan lauded the “promising” start of the tourism season.

While many years ago the tourism season in Armenia used to begin in April with Easter celebrations and end in October, it has now been significantly extended, he said.

“The tourism season now starts to become active from March through mid-November. In other words, our policy of extending the tourism season is producing results,” he said.

According to Mekhak Apresyan, the number of tourists spending New Year in Armenia is also increasing year by year.

He said that from mid-January to March, tourist flows usually become less active, and the task is to fill that period, with significant work also being carried out in that direction.

The president of the Armenian Tourism Federation noted that 386,741 tourists visited Armenia in the first quarter of last year, while in the same period this year the number increased by 66,397. 

“We had about 453,000 inbound tourist visits this year. Russia is in first place with about 39 percent, followed by Georgia, then Europe as a whole, and then Iran and the United States,” he said, adding that in recent years there has also been increased activity from Gulf countries, as citizens of those states often prefer to spend the winter in Armenia.

The situation in the Middle East has also had a negative impact, according to Apresyan. He said that there were no visits during the Nowruz celebrations this year, whereas usually many Iranians travel to Armenia during these holidays.

Speaking about outbound tourism, Apresyan noted that Armenians continue to prefer coastal destinations, while European countries also remain popular choices.

Addressing sector challenges, he said that one of Armenia’s main problems is that it is landlocked. However, he added that direct flights have partially helped address this accessibility issue in recent years.

He also pointed to difficulties at European embassies and visa centers in issuing visas to Armenian citizens.

“Tourism is, by its nature, a phenomenon that feeds other sectors of the economy and is also fed by them. Therefore, we must properly value the role and importance of tourism, as well as adequately present our historical and cultural heritage,” Apresyan added.