ARMENIA POSTS 2.8% RISE IN TOURIST VISITS IN Q1

ARKA
June 15, 2009

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. Armenia posted a 2.8% (85,000) year-on-year
rise in tourists visits in Q1 2008, reported Mekhak Apresyan, head
of the tourism department, RA Ministry and Economy.

The private sector and the RA Ministry of Economy are combining their
efforts to alleviate the negative impact of the global recession on
Armenia’s tourism business.

"Armenia’s resorts are planning to lower prices for their services this
year, with some travel agencies standing ready to offer discounts,"
Apresyan added.

The official stressed the importance of boosting alternative tourism
in Armenia. "We are capable of expanding non-hotel tourism by building
villas for tourists," he said.

About 588,000 tourists visited Armenia in 2008 – a 9.4% year-on-year
rise, with tourist visits to Armenia increasing by around 25%
since 2001.