NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING ARMENIA INCREASED BY 2,8% IN 2009 FIRST QUARTER

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
12.06.2009 13:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The number of tourists visiting Armenia increased
by 2,8% in the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period
of 2008, said Mekhak Apresyan, head of tourism division at the RA
Ministry of Economy.

"Tourist flows tend to increase annually. In 2000, some 45 thousand
tourists visited Armenia; in 2008, the number reached 558 thousand,"
he said.

Asked by PanARMENIAN.Net reporter whether it’s true that everyone
arriving in Armenia is registered as tourist, Mr. Apresyan said that
only 40% of those visiting the republic are tourists.

He also said that despite the global economic crisis, the figure
is expected to increase. The tourist season is open. Hotels offer
reduced prices," he said.