EIGHTH CTS2008 INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXHIBITION TOOK PLACE IN YEREVAN

RIA OREANDA
Nov 18 2008
Russia

Yerevan. OREANDA-NEWS On 18 November was announced, that eighth annual
"Country of talking stones" CTS’2008 international tourism exhibition
took place in Yerevan.

The organizers of CTS were: RA Ministry of Economy, the Armenian Union
of Travel Agents and the Armenian Representation of the American
Society of Travel Agents, with assistance of USA ID/ CAPS (United
State Agency for International Development/ Competitive Armenian
Private Sector).

Representatives from more than 64 companies were present at the
exhibition this year: 13 travel agencies and tour operators, an
Aviation Company, 17 hotel complexes and rest homes, 2 insurance
companies, 13 state institutions and NGOs, 3 travel publications,
an information agency, 3 educational institutions, 8 restaurants
etc. Armenian provinces – Kotayk, Shirak and Vayots Dzor were
represented in separate pavilions, as well as the representatives
form Karabakh, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Turkey.

The main goals of the event were: promotion of incoming and regional
tourism, informing the potential local and international tourists,
stakeholders about the development tendencies in tourism, organization
of forum for all the interested parties.

Nerses Yeritsyan, RA inister of Economy made an opening speech. He
said:" There is a real progress in this sphere- not only the geography
of the participants expands, but also the assortment and quality of
products increase. The Government consider this sphere as a field,
where the real results and wins can be achieved in short period
of time . First of all this sphere promotes the opportunity for
achievement of high class services, and also to present Armenia to
the world through tourism packages.

The advanced progress of tourism is interconnected with improvement of
living standards. Once we learn how to provide high class services to
tourists, we will learn how to keep our environment clean. This field
can influence on the living standards, productivity, and incomes in
regions within the territory of RA very fast. That is why Armenian
Government put the conceptual mentality for future 20-30 years and
developed the five-year program of events, which became key priorities
of the agenda of National Competitiveness Board".

Nerses Yeritsyan assured once more, that the Government will
improve the infrastructures in the tourism sphere, will provide easy
access for sightseeing and historical-cultural places, and support
the creativity. "Creativity should predominate in Armenia to make
possible the development of high class and qualified tourism in the
country. The government must provide legislation and establish rules,
as well as settle special criteria for services. To spread the products
and ideas all over the world Government must envisage private sector
more aggressively. And today is a right time to reconsider the state
role and assistance in this field", – said Mr. Minister.