ArmInfo.According to the results of 2019, the tourist flow to Armenia will increase by 15% per annum. A similar forecast, answering the question of ArmInfo correspondent, was voiced by chairman of the Armenian Tourism Federation Mekhak Apresyan.
Referring to official data, he noted that already according to the results of 9 months of this year the y-o-y growth of tourist visits to Armenia is fixed at 14.4%, which, according to the head of the Federation, indicates the dynamic development of the domestic tourism industry, and is driven by government policy and private sector efforts.
Answering the question of ArmInfo, Apresyan noted that Russia continues to lead in the number of tourists choosing Armenia. However, at the same time, as he continued, there is an interesting upward trend in tourist visits from the countries of the Far East (in particular China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines), South America and Scandinavia. He also emphasized that according to a study conducted in 2013, 90% of visits to tourists came from individual tourism, and only 10% came from organized tourism, with pre-purchase of vacation packages. <This suggests that Armenia has become recognizable in the international market>, Apresyan stressed.
However, the expert noted that in the near future, taking into account the y-o-y growth of tourists, Armenia will be ready to accept even more tourists. Apresyan determined his opinion primarily by activity in road construction, the dynamic development of hotel facilities and infrastructures.
At the same time, he emphasized that the winter season in Armenia continues to be the least active in terms of tourist visits. "If compared with other seasons, the dynamics are really much inferior, however, when viewed from the point of view of y-o-y growth, it should be noted that every year the number of tourists visiting Armenia in the winter grows by about 10%," Apresyan said.
It should be noted that according to the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia, in January- September 2019 for tourism purposes, 1,459,152 people visited Armenia. (with an increase of 14.4% per annum), and 1 312 282 people left (with an increase of 14.3% per annum).