ARMENIA EXPECTS 7-10% GROWTH IN FOREIGN TOURISTS

ARKA
Aug 12, 2009
Yerevan

YEREVAN, August 12, /ARKA/. A senior official of the Armenian ministry
of economy said today the number of foreign tourists expected to
visit Armenia this year will grow 7-10 percent. Mekhak Apresian, who
is in charge of a department of the ministry dealing with tourism
and territorial economic development issues, said they expect some
600,000 foreigners to visit the country in 2009.

He said 207,720 foreign tourists visited Armenia in the first six
months of 2009, almost as many as in the same time span of 2008. An
average foreign tourist spends $700-800 during a week’s stay in
Armenia.

According to the National Statistical Service (NSS), 588,000 foreign
tourists visited Armenia in 2008, by 9.4% more than in 2007 (510,000).

The number of foreign tourists visiting Armenia has been steadily
rising 20-25 percent a year since 2001. Particularly, 318,000 foreign
tourists visited Armenia in 2005, 381,000 in 2007, over 500,000 in
2007 and 588,000 in 2008.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress