YEREVAN.- The number of tourists visiting Armenia in Jan.-March 2012 dropped by 9% as compared with the same period last year.

National Statistical Service reported that 104,400 tourists visited Armenia in Jan.-March 2012.

Overall 120 thousand Armenian tourists left the country in the same period this year, the number has increased by 1.9%.

The decline in number of tourists is most likely conditioned by cold and long winter. The drastic devaluation of Iranian currency – rial - resulted in decline in number of Iranian tourists who traditionally visit Armenia during Novrus (Iranian New Year) festivities.