Every March 21 nearly 300 million people around the world celebrate the Iranian New Year or “Novruz Bayram”. Unlike Armenians, who prefer to spend New Years at home, Iranians prefer to spend their holiday elsewhere, especially Armenia. Last year, between 20,000 and 30,000 Iranian tourists visited Armenia to celebrate.
For many, it is the allure of a different kind of “freedom.” Here, they may freely smoke, drink, visit nightclubs, restaurants and other entertainment centers. During Novruz Bayram in particular, concerts are held, some of which feature pop singers from the U.S. and other countries.
As a result, the tourism sector in Armenia booms — hotels are overloaded with guests and it’s nearly impossible to rent a private apartment. This flow of visitors helps Armenian business to thrive immensely.
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