380 THOUSAND TOURISTS TO VISIT ARMENIA IN 2006

Panorama.am
00:38 26/05/06

According to modest estimates, 380 thousand tourists will visit Armenia
by the end of 2006. Last year, their number totaled 318 thousand, in
2004- 262 thousand and in 2000- only 40,000, deputy minister on trade
and economic development Ara Petrosyan told reporters today during
the ceremonial opening of the 6th international exhibition on tourism.

In his words, tourism entered a new stage of development in Armenia
ensuring 20-25% rise per annum.

According to the deputy minister, one tourist spends $1000, including
airfare. Speaking on tariffs on tour agency services and hotels,
A. Petrossyan noted that 6 years ago the fees were considerably
higher. “New entities enter into market today and, as we all know,
the more entities, the lower the prices,” he said.

The international exhibition on tourism, which takes place in cinema
Moscow, will run until May 27.

American Union of Tourist Agencies, Armenian agency on tourism
development and the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development organize
the event.