ARMENIA NEEDS 56.3 MILLION DRAMS TO BOOST TOURISM

ARKA
Dec 8, 2008

YEREVAN, December 8. /ARKA/. Armenia needs 56.3mln drams to boost
tourism infrastructures, Levon Mnatsakanyan, representative of the
National Center for the Development of Small and Medium Business.

"With a pilot investment project elaborated, it targets at
infrastructural development in tourism, particularly organizations of
public catering and souvenir shops," Mnatsakanyan said Friday during
the Ijevan conference on the development of small and medium business
and tourism in Tavoush region.

The program aims at creating infrastructures in tourism in line with
international standards and attracting more tourists to Armenia.

"With pilot projects made and territories chosen, local governments
have undertaken to support the implementation of the program,"
Mnatsakanyan added.

On February 13, 2008, the RA government approved a long-term concept
of tourism development. The program aims at boosting Armenian tourism
in the global market.

It is forecast that 3mln tourists will visit Armenia in 2030, compared
to 1.5mln in 2020.

Armenia’s Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan previously said Armenia
can gain $1.35bln worth profit from tourism by 2020, with investments
in the sector reaching $2.7bln.

Tourist visits to Armenia rose 33.5% to 510,300 in 2007, compared to
382,200 in 2006. ($1 – 308.08 drams)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress