Armenia plans to ‘conquer unconquered’ international tourism markets in 2025 - head of Tourism Committee

YEREVAN, 29 November. /ARKA/. In an exclusive interview with ARKA news agency, Chairwoman of Armenia's Tourism Committee Lusine Gevorgyan spoke about plans for 2025, Armenia's representation in international tourism markets, tourist visits in 2024, and tdevelopment of domestic tourism.

‘ARKA’ - What programmes are you going to implement in Armenia's tourism sector in 2025 to promote it in international tourism markets?

L. Gevorgyan - In 2025, we will work to ‘conquer the unconquered’ international tourism markets. At the initial stage it will be China, which is a priority direction for us; we expect cooperation with the largest tourism companies of that country. As you know, there is a direct flight between Yerevan and Urumqi, which can contribute to this. A visa-free regime has been established with China. That is, the most fertile ground is ready for us to develop this direction. If we manage to attract more tourists from China to Armenia next year, we will consider that the Tourism Committee has carried out successful work in 2025.      

Our 2025 budget envisages a number of programmes, in particular, the organisation of festivals both in Armenia and abroad. On 28 January we plan to take part in ‘Fitur Madrid’ international tourism exhibition. Then we plan to take part in the international tourism exhibition ‘ITB Berlin’, we also plan to place an Armenian stand in Osaka, Japan, which will operate there for a year. It is also planned to organise the Days of National Food, Drinks and Taraz (Armenian national costumes) there. We would also like to hold drink tasting, organise national songs and dances during these days. 

‘ARKA’ - What indicators are recorded in terms of tourist visits to Armenia for 10 months of the current year? 

L. Gevorgyan - As of the end of October 2024, some 1.95 million tourists visited Armenia. I assume that in November-December this figure will reach 2 million. Not to sound very ambitious, we would like to raise this figure by 20%. I don't know to what extent we will succeed, but I will put emphasis on non-Armenian, foreign aggressive marketing in order to increase the visibility and accessibility of Armenia, particularly to those destinations where direct flights are already operating. 

There are three flights a day between Armenia and the UAE, if I am not mistaken. We expect that the citizens of this country will also arrive to Armenia by the same planes. 

‘ARKA’ - What programmes does the Tourism Committee plan to implement for the development of domestic tourism in the country? 

L. Gevorgyan - Domestic tourism is currently among the priority goals of the Tourism Committee. I myself personally visit the provinces of the country and conduct research based on the possibilities of the provinces. This year we are promoting the slogan ‘New Year in Armenia’ on our Facebook page. Since the New Year holidays are short, I urge our citizens to make sure to rest in Armenia and contribute to the country's economy. 

We should get away from big cities, for example, Yerevan, with family and friends to fresh air, try ecologically clean food in the regions, just enjoy these days.There is a potential for the development of domestic tourism in Armenia, people are ready to host tourists. I talked to the companies providing tourist services and asked them to heat the places of rest better, offer better food, offer lower prices, which will create conditions for people visiting Armenia in the next years to know that this service is available in Armenia, it is of high quality. So that people would not look towards neighbouring countries, but towards Armenia..-0-