INBOUND TOURISM GROWTH EXPECTED IN ARMENIA THIS YEAR

ARKA
Aug 8, 2008

YEREVAN, August 8. /ARKA/. Armenian Ministry of Economy says the
country has retained the growth rates of inbound tourism. Deputy
Minister of Economy Ara Petrosyan said last year more than half
a million tourists visited Armenia last year. Petrosyan also said
another 20%-25% increase is expected this year.

Inbound tourism has been growing 25% annually since 2001 in Armenia. In
2005, 318,000 tourists visited Armenia, in 2006 -381,000, and in 2007 –
more than 500,000.

Armenian government is planning to increase the number of tourists
visiting Armenia to one million people annually.