Tourism & Travel Demand: Armenia remains a top near-abroad pick for Russian travelers, with 416,743 Russian visitors logged in the first half of 2026—up 23.3% year-on-year—and Russians’ share rising to 40% of all arrivals. New Attractions: Armenia’s tourism push gets a major headline as the world’s tallest Jesus statue (33m figure on a 44m pedestal) is nearing completion, with a museum and cable car planned for next year—though the Armenian Apostolic Church opposes 3D statues. Aviation & Cross-Border Access: Georgia is rebuilding the Stepantsminda–Gveleti road section to improve the key land route linking Armenia to Russia via Georgian territory, with completion targeted for 2027. Safety & Disruption Abroad: A 7.4 quake in Colombia has triggered major airport and travel disruptions across the region, with authorities restoring some operations while others remain restricted due to terminal damage. Local Travel Fraud Watch: Armenia’s investigators report a vehicle-import scheme using forged documents to bypass customs, a reminder for travelers and buyers to be cautious with paperwork.