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185 million 700 thousand AMD was allocated to support tourism development programs in Armenia under the 2016 state budget , Emil Tarasyan, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments, noted at the Parliamentary debate on the annual report on “Execution of 2016 State Budget of the Republic of Armenia” on June 27.

In the minister’s words, both qualitative and quantitative growth was recorded in tourism sector in 2016. In particular, the foreign tourist arrivals increased by 9 percent in Armenia in the past five years, whereas 5.7 percent growth was recorded in the sector in the previous year.

Mr. Tarasyan noted that these rates maintain, however the Armenian Government has set a new target to reach the number of tourists visiting Armenia to at least 3 million in the upcoming years.

The deputy minister also informed that tourist flows into Armenia have increased from Russia, Georgia, Iran, Ukraine and the U.S.

“These counties form the top five. However, the number of tourists visiting Armenia from India and the United Arab Emirates has tripled in terms of percentage,” the official said.
Meantime, Emil Tarasyan noted that over 20 programs are to be implemented to reach the set 3 million target.

“1.5 million out of the expected 3 million visitors are targeted to be Diaspora-Armenians,” he added.