International visitors continued growing in Aug-19 despite Russia’s ban on direct flights. Importantly, growth levels of total arrivals as well as tourist arrivals strengthened slightly compared to previous month. In Aug-19, total international visitors (tourists and same-day combined) were up 4.4% y/y to 1.1mn, of which tourists reached 0.8mn persons, up 2.3% y/y. Pick up in same-day arrivals (+9.7% y/y) is explained by strong arrival growth from neighbors: Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. Notably, arrivals from Turkey are growing for the 3rd consecutive month after falling from Sep-18 to May-19.
Please see the full note here, which brings together tourist arrival data for reporting month, most recent statistical information available in the sector and 2019 forecast.
