A major tourist inflow to Armenia, specifically from Iran and Russia is expected in March, according to the head of the department of tourism and territorial development at Armenian Economy Ministry.

As Mekhak Apresyan told a news conference in Yerevan, several significant events are due in March, including Armenia-Russia EURO 2012 qualifier (March 26), Festival de la Francophonie (March 17-18).

Arrival of Iranian tourists, who are celebrating Nowruz (Persian News Year) in Armenia is also expected.

Apresyan urged the population against panicking. “We must do our best to welcome the tourists, increasing inflow being a sign of growing popularity of the country,” he stressed.