Economy Minister: Rallies and marches in Yerevan  in 2024 cause a  decrease in Russian tourist arrivals

ArmInfo.Rallies and marches that took place in Yerevan during 2024 resulted in a decline in  Russian tourist numbers.This was stated by the RA Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan in the National Assembly of Armenia on October 31st.  "I don't want to dramatize, but tour operators canceled thousands of  visits in April and May.  

I believe that a large number of tourists  did not come to Armenia because of the rallies organized in Yerevan.  This was especially true when some Russian TV channels announced that  200 thousand people were rallying on the streets of Yerevan," the  Minister said.

Papoyan also reported that 741,000 tourists arrived in Armenia from  Russia in January-September 2024, accounting for 43% of the total  number of tourist arrivals. Last year, the percentage of Russian  tourists was 50%. However, as the minister noted, there is a  significant increase of tourists from other countries Papoyan  reported that in January-September 2024, tourist visits to Armenia  totaled 1,721, 245 people, which is 7% lower than the same period  last year.