Tourism growth expected in Armenia despite global financial and
economic crisis

YEREVAN, JUNE 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Despite the global financial and
economic crisis, a growth of tourism is expected in Armenia. Head of
the Tourism and Territorial Economic Development Department of RA
Ministry of Economy Mekhak Apresian stated this at the June 12 press
conference, adding that a 2.8% growth of tourism was recorded in
Armenia in the first quarter of 2009 on the same period of 2008.

According to him, in order to withstand the crisis and maintain tourism
growth rates in Armenia, the price policy, in particular issues related
to maintaining most competitive prices in market, have been discussed
with the private sector, which expressed a willingness to cooperate on
formation of competitive prices. For example, the daily payment for a
2-person room in Tsakhkadzor’s Kecharis Hotel now makes 15 thousand
drams against the previous 30 thousand drams.

The department head said that the development of internal tourism is a
priority problem, with a number of programs being worked out in this
direction. Particularly, networks of tourist houses that offer family
packages and provide more affordable services are being fomed.

M. Apresian informed those present that in 2000-2008, the number of
tourists to Armenia grew 11-fold. 45 thousand tourists visited the
country in 2000, 558 thousand – in 2008. Since 2001, the average annual
growth of tourism made 20-25%, growth of internal tourism – 20% in
Armenia. According to studies, Diasporan Armenians made up 62% of the
total number of tourists.

By data of the World Tourism Organization, the average annual growth of
tourism in the world made 4-4.5%. In 2007 the growth amounted to 6.2%,
in 2008 it made only 3-3.5%.