ArmenPress
June 23 2004

KARABAGH TOURISM BOOSTING

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS: According to Nagorno Karabagh
foreign ministry, tourism industry is booming with an annual 40
percent increase in the number of people wishing to visit it. Last
year 2,500 people traveled to Karabagh, the majority of them were
ethnic Armenians. On the rise is also the number of foreigners.
The foreign ministry said citizens of 70 countries visited
Karabagh in 2003. There is no information about people from Armenia
proper and CIS countries visiting Karabagh, as they are not
registered. The great majority of foreigners come to Karabagh as
tourists to see its places of interests, however Karabagh tourist
industry does not possess sufficient facilities. So far there are
only three destinations for tourists, while there are many other
areas that will be attractive for them.
Many of historical and cultural monuments are unavailable because
of poor roads, a major reconstruction of which is seen as number one
condition for bringing in more tourists. The absence of guidebooks,
maps is another obstacle, though some books and maps were already
published.
The government of Nagorno Karabagh ordered drafting of a tourism
industry development program, which still remains on paper. According
to unofficial figures, the annual income from tourism is around $1
million, but the biggest portion of this money does not enter
Karabagh as travel agencies from other countries are also engaged in
this business.
The government is also planning to reduce the cost of entrance
visa, that is $25 now, by around $2.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress