According to data shared by the Telegram channel Your Beloved Economic Edition, Armenia is experiencing a sharp decline in tourism revenue despite a moderate drop in visitor numbers. In the first half of 2024, tourism revenue fell by 29.1% ($396 million), while tourist arrivals decreased by just 6.2% over the first nine months. By contrast, neighboring Georgia reported a 4.5% increase in tourist inflow and a 5.3% rise in tourism revenue during the same period.
An analysis of the structure of Armenia’s tourist flow reveals that 83% of arrivals come from five countries: Russia, Georgia, Iran, the U.S., and France. However, the average duration of stays in Armenia is five times higher than in Georgia, while daily expenditures by tourists are three times lower.
Unusually long stay durations point to a significant proportion of visitors being Armenians living abroad. For example, Armenian expatriates typically stay over 65 days in the country. Visitors from nations with large Armenian diasporas—such as the U.S. (25 days), France (22 days), Russia (25 days), Georgia (28 days), and Iran (25 days)—follow similar patterns, often relying on familial resources like housing and transportation. This reduces their spending on traditional tourism services.
The Telegram channel specializing in economic news estimates that in Q3 2024 alone, Armenia’s losses from declining tourism revenues may exceed $200 million.
Earlire BMG reported that in October 2024, Armenia welcomed 203,810 tourists, reflecting a 4.3% increase compared to the same period in the previous year, according to the country's Tourism Committee. Over the first ten months of 2024, the total number of visitors reached 1,926,405, a 5.8% decrease compared to 2023, when 2,045,369 tourists visited Armenia.
