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5.8% GROWTH OF TOURISM RECORDED IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2009
Noyan Tapan
Nov 9, 2009
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Despite the global financial and
economic crisis, a 5.8% growth of tourism was recorded in Armenia in
January-September 2009, Head of the Tourism and Territorial Development
Department of the RA Ministry of Economy Mekhak Apresian stated at
the November 9 press conference. It was mentioned that since 2001,
the average annual growth of tourism made 20-25% in Armenia, whereas
this year the growth rate has considerably declined.
M. Apresian said 422,807 tourists visited Armenia in January-September
2009, which is more by 23,116 tourists compared with the same period of
2008. There was also an increase in the number of Armenian tourists who
visited foreign countries - a growth of 1.2%, with the total number
of outgoing tourists making 399,650. The number of tourist travels
declined by 3% worlwide, at the same time there was a 10% growth in
Europe and also a considerable growth of travels in African countries.
According to M. Apresian, tourists come to Armenia mainly from such
countries as Russia, Georgia, other CIS states, the U.S, and Iran. In
recent years tourists from Scandinavian and Latin American countries
have started to show interest in Armenia. Besides, two groups from
Turkey have visited Armenia in 2008 and 2009. In the opinion of M.
Apresian, the possible opening of the Armenian-Turkish border will
have a positive impact on tourism. "In this case it would be possible
to form regional packages, so the number of tourists to our country
will increase," he noted.
M. Apresian informed those present that the Armenian government has
paid great attention to the development of winter tourism in recent
years. "There is already some infrastructure, which we, however, do
not consider as final and complete because there is still much to be
done for promotion of winter tourism," he said. He reminded that the
government has announced Tsakhkadzor and Jermuk winter tourism centers.
Noyan Tapan
Nov 9, 2009
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Despite the global financial and
economic crisis, a 5.8% growth of tourism was recorded in Armenia in
January-September 2009, Head of the Tourism and Territorial Development
Department of the RA Ministry of Economy Mekhak Apresian stated at
the November 9 press conference. It was mentioned that since 2001,
the average annual growth of tourism made 20-25% in Armenia, whereas
this year the growth rate has considerably declined.
M. Apresian said 422,807 tourists visited Armenia in January-September
2009, which is more by 23,116 tourists compared with the same period of
2008. There was also an increase in the number of Armenian tourists who
visited foreign countries - a growth of 1.2%, with the total number
of outgoing tourists making 399,650. The number of tourist travels
declined by 3% worlwide, at the same time there was a 10% growth in
Europe and also a considerable growth of travels in African countries.
According to M. Apresian, tourists come to Armenia mainly from such
countries as Russia, Georgia, other CIS states, the U.S, and Iran. In
recent years tourists from Scandinavian and Latin American countries
have started to show interest in Armenia. Besides, two groups from
Turkey have visited Armenia in 2008 and 2009. In the opinion of M.
Apresian, the possible opening of the Armenian-Turkish border will
have a positive impact on tourism. "In this case it would be possible
to form regional packages, so the number of tourists to our country
will increase," he noted.
M. Apresian informed those present that the Armenian government has
paid great attention to the development of winter tourism in recent
years. "There is already some infrastructure, which we, however, do
not consider as final and complete because there is still much to be
done for promotion of winter tourism," he said. He reminded that the
government has announced Tsakhkadzor and Jermuk winter tourism centers.