Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites | 2026
Authors: Yeghiazaryan M.; Manaseryan T.; Sargsyan N.; Badulescu A.; Hakobyan M.; Martirosyan A.
DOI: 10.30892/gtg.65247-1752
Journal: Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites
Year: 2026
Publisher: Editura Universitatii din Oradea
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Cited by: 0
The article examines institutional challenges and development opportunities of tourism sector in Armenia within the context of sustainable economic growth. The research focuses on the influence of institutional quality, governance effectiveness, infrastructure development and adaptive tourism strategies on tourism performance in Armenia. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining comparative analysis, econometric modeling and institutional assessment, using data from the Statistical Committee of Armenia and the World Bank for the period 2007–2022. The findings confirm that tourism plays a significant role in Armenia’s economic development. Regression analyses show that tourism income significantly contributes to GDP, and institutional variables such as government effectiveness and infrastructure quality are strong predictors of tourism sector development. The study identifies three institutional models: infrastructure, adaptive and imitation models, as the most applicable frameworks for strengthening Armenia’s tourism competitiveness. The infrastructure model highlights the importance of transport, digital connectivity and hospitality systems, while the adaptive model emphasizes resilience to external shocks and changing tourism demand. The imitation model supports cooperation, clustering and the adaptation of international best practices to local conditions. The findings indicate that strengthening institutional capacity, improving governance quality and promoting public–private partnerships are essential for increasing tourism competitiveness and ensuring sustainable tourism-led growth in Armenia. The study also highlights the importance of regional tourism development, innovation and sustainable infrastructure investment for enhancing Armenia’s position in the international tourism market. © 2026 by the authors.
developing countries; economic models; institutional challenges; tourism industry; tourism trends