450 THOUSAND TOURISTS TOWARD ARMENIA
Lragir.am
13-09-2007 15:19:18
On September 13 the Armenian government adopted the program of
development of tourism. This annual program is adopted for the fourth
year on, and the purpose is to coordinate the goals and subprograms,
programs implemented in separate spheres, estimate and perform the
costs, said Ara Petrosyan, deputy minister of trade and economic
development in today’s briefing. He also said as of the first half of
2007 over 180 tourists visited Armenia, which is up by about a record
36 percent. The government expects 450 thousand tourists this year.
"This program, the development program for 2008, also involves a 20
percent growth, which is the average rate of growth for the past few
years. We are hopeful to receive 500 thousand tourists next year," Ara
Petrosyan said. According to him, this expectation is quite realistic.
Ara Petrosyan says the program of 2008 involves some changes regarding
the international advertisement of Armenia. In other words, besides
advertising on TV channels broadcast worldwide there will be also
local, target advertisement campaigns. Ara Petrosyan says separate
countries will be chosen where Armenia will be advertised. Ara
Petrosyan says the government has foreseen to spend as much money for
the development of tourism in 2008 as in the past years. For instance,
in 2007 about 250 million dollars was spent. In 2008 the government
plans to spend more but if the parliament does not affirm the boosted
assignment, 250 million will be kept by all means.