YEREVAN.- A total of 266,000 tourists visited Armenia in the first half of 2011, while 274,600 people left for foreign states, says National Statistical Service.

As compared with the same period in 2010 the number of holidaymakers abroad increased by 18.3%, while the number of tourists arriving in the republic increased by 15.6%.

Only 20% of tourists who arrived in Armenia stayed in hotels (about 55,000 people) against 12% last year. Armenia is mostly visited by Russian tourists, 16% of the total number.

Armenia is also popular destination for tourists arriving from U.S. (14.6%) and Iran (9.2% of the total number).