Crisis does not hinder Armenian tourism

Despite the world financial crisis tourism in Armenia is growing, the head of the Tourism Department of the Armenian Ministry of Economy Mekhak Apresian said on June 12. He said that figures for the first quarter of 2009 show a 2.8% increase in tourist numbers compared with the same period last year. In the first three months of 2009 more than 85,000 tourists entered Armenia.

Apresian says that since 2000 the tourist level has increased elevenfold. In 2000 Armenia was visited by 45,000 tourists only but in 2008 the number was 558,000. Most of the visitors were from the Armenian Diaspora. Apresian mentioned that different projects were being undertaken to attract tourists, including agricultural, ecological, scientific and other schemes. Special tourist hostels have built which are much cheaper for the visitor than hotels.

Special workshops are being delivered for the people living near historic and sightseeing venues to teach them how to make the most of tourism development. The Armenian Government allotted EURO 225,000 for shooting a 52-minute documentary about Armenia and this film is being shown on Spanish and Scandinavian TV channels.

Apresian mentioned that a lot has been done to develop domestic tourism. Negotiations are underway with private operators to cut prices for local tourists. Apresian thinks Armenia should be seen as a country of cheap tourism, and mentioned Armenia’s special niche in the tourism market and the advantages Armenia offers to potential visitors.