DECLINE IN NUMBER OF TOURISTS TO DILIJAN MAINLY DUE TO INCORRECT PRICE POLICY CONDUCTED IN SECTOR

Noyan Tapan
Aug 06 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The number of tourists to Dilijan has
declined in the summer of 2007. In particular, this resort city can
now receive 5-6 thousand people at once, whereas only 2,200 people
have been currently accomodated here, the deputy mayor of Dilijan
Armen Makarian said at the August 6 press conference.

He listed such main reasons as an incorrect policy being conducted
in the tourism sector, as well as large-scale construction work
currently underway in the city. Besides, according to A.Makarian,
the quality of services provided by tourist companies is low. "One
of the problems is that people not having any relation to tourism
are engaged in the sector," he noted.

In his words, only 10 out of more than 30 rest homes constructed
in Dilijan in the Soviet time are operating now. At the same time,
private motels are actively functioning.

A. Makarian expressed confidence that the sector’s problems have
temporary character as both Armenian and foreign investors show great
interest in the tourism sector. As proof of what he said, he noted
that the reconstructed health centers "Dilijan" and "Mountainous
Armenia" will soon be put into operation, as well as Dilijan’s
preserve-museum, whose construction is being done by Tufenkian
company. The reconstruction of Dilijan’s city hotel will be completed
soon, with 1.5 million dollars being allocated by a private investor
for reconstruction work.

The deputy mayor said that the geographic museum (where nearly
8,600 items of great historical and cultural value are kept) is now
undergoing major repairs.