The number of international arrivals was up 10.2% y/y to 0.51mn in April 2017. Out of the top five source markets, there was strong growth from Armenia (+13.2% y/y), Azerbaijan (+7.1% y/y), Russia (+16.5% y/y), and Ukraine (+27.2% y/y). The number of arrivals from Turkey continues to exhibit a downward trend (-19.2% y/y), as border delays persist in Sarpi. Arrivals from the EU were up 44.8% y/y to over 26,000 visitors.
The number of international arrivals was up 11.1% y/y to 1.78mn visitors in 4M17. The number of visitors increased from all major countries except for Turkey (-15.5% y/y). Armenia (+14.6% y/y) and Russia (+24.1% y/y) were the largest contributors to overall growth, with Ukraine also posting double-digit growth (+20.2% y/y). The number of visitors from Azerbaijan posted a modest increase of 4.9% y/y, but from the high base of 4M16 (+22.9% y/y).
While the top four source markets accounted for 82.6% of international arrivals in 4M17, secondary source markets also posted robust performances. The number of Iranian visitors was up 3.3x reaching 66,000 visitors in 4M17, mainly due to an inflow of Iranians during Novruz Bairam. The number of Indian visitors was up 139.8% y/y to over 16,000, while the number of Israeli visitors increased 66.8% y/y to almost 19,000 visitors. Arrivals from the EU were up 26.3% y/y to over 65,000 visitors in 4M17, with Germany (+43.2% y/y), Poland (+29.8% y/y), and United Kingdom (+26.0% y/y) driving the growth.
The tourist category continues to drive arrival growth in April 2017. The number of overnight visitors (‘tourist’ category) was up 29.7% y/y and accounted for 43.6% of international arrivals. Same-day arrivals were down 2.1% y/y, while the number of transit visitors was flat (+0.3% y/y). The number of tourist arrivals is up 26.9% y/y to 0.74mn in 4M17, while the number of same-day visitors is down 1.8% y/y and the number of transit visitors up 11.3% y/y.
