Armenia Tourism Boom: Armenia welcomed 216,214 tourists in June and over 1 million in the first half of 2026, with Russia the biggest source market (40%), followed by Georgia (15%) and Iran (8%). New Hotel for Dilijan: Green Rock will break ground on a new international-standard hotel in Dilijan on July 25, part of a $160M multifunctional complex, aiming to boost year-round tourism and create 800+ jobs. Big Attraction in the Making: Work continues on the planned 101-meter “world’s largest statue of Jesus” atop Mount Hatis near Yerevan, a project backed by Gagik Tsarukyan but facing resistance from church and environmental groups. Culture & Events in Yerevan: The Armenian Symphony Orchestra will close its 20th season with a gala concert at Cascade on July 21 (8:00 PM). Visitor Safety Note: The French Embassy in Yerevan says guests at a Bastille Day reception (July 14) reported food poisoning, and it’s working to identify the cause. Regional Travel Context: Georgia reported $1.1B travel revenue in 2Q26 and Armenians made ~360,000 visits to Georgia in Jan–Jun, ranking third among foreign visitors.