ArmInfo. As a result of the proper implementation of the Tourism Development Strategy of the Republic of Armenia for 2026-2030 and the corresponding Action Plan, by 2030, sector revenues will reach $3.8 billion, state budget revenues will amount to approximately $750 million, and approximately 20,000 additional jobs will be created. This was stated by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan, presenting the document at a government meeting on January 8.
As stated in the explanatory note to the document, the need to develop a strategic program stems from the need to ensure a comprehensive solution to the problems facing the sector and to coordinate ongoing reforms, including legislative ones.
Furthermore, the existence of a strategic program allows for the coordination and resolution of a number of issues directly related to tourists, their experiences, and the services provided, but the resolution of such issues does not depend on the authorized state body in the tourism sector. These issues include improving roads leading to tourist sites, ensuring cleanliness, creating infrastructure aimed at meeting the needs of tourists (including restrooms), etc.
The strategic program will be considered a fundamental document for the next five years of activity and will ensure the coordination of the implementation of state programs in the tourism sector, institutional reforms, and infrastructure improvements.
It is noted that approximately 165 million drams were spent on activities implemented under the state support program in 2022, 1 billion drams in 2023, and 1.5 billion drams in 2024. In 2025, the budget was reduced to 800 million drams. Given the increase in the volume of activities planned for the coming years, the volume of funds allocated from the state budget will increase in the coming years due to the increase in the volume of marketing activities under the annual programs.
The program's activities primarily focus on implementing an active marketing policy, diversifying tourism products based on local community resources, supporting the development of tourism infrastructure and potential, attracting investment in the tourism sector, developing international cooperation, improving the statistical system, enhancing the quality of services, supporting business initiatives in the sector, and supporting the activities of tourism management organizations (DMOs) and tourism information centers. Particular attention will be paid to implementing marketing measures to restore Armenia's tourism appeal.
The program will support individuals pursuing professional activities in Armenia, leveraging the educational resources of leading international higher education institutions outlined in the draft Strategic Program. This will result in steps being taken to develop human resources and support the needs of the private and public sectors in tourism.
The program to improve tourism and regional infrastructure, as envisaged by the Strategy, will be launched in 2026, with funding of approximately 3 billion drams (this will be phased in subsequent years, including World Bank co-financing).
"In 2023, the number of foreign tourists visiting Armenia was 2.3 million, which is approximately 39% more than in 2022 (1,665,700 tourists). In 2024, the total number of tourist visits was 2,208,179, which is 4.7% less than in 2023. The downward trend continued in 2025. Therefore, the Strategic Plan will also contribute to the restoration of tourist flow," the authors of the document state. Specifically, by 2030, the number of foreign tourists is planned to increase annually by 10% by enhancing Armenia's attractiveness, bringing the number of international visits to approximately 3 million by 2030, resulting in an increase in annual revenue to $3 billion.
Forecasts aimed at increasing tourist flows will be realized through the following strategic steps: improving infrastructure, attracting investment, implementing planned active marketing activities, ensuring quality services, developing human resources, intensifying international cooperation, launching flights to new destinations, and diversifying Armenia's tourist flow.
According to the Ministry of Economy, with proper implementation of the Strategic Plan, by 2030 we will have 3 million inbound tourist visits and 4.5 million domestic tourist visits, increasing sector revenue to $3.5 billion.
The estimated funding for the activities planned within the framework of the Strategic Plan and the program ensuring its implementation amounted to approximately 65 billion drams.
