Armenian ministry of economy expects 5-10% growth in tourism sector

YEREVAN, August 21, /ARKA/. A deputy Armenian minister of economy Ara
Petrosian said at a news conference today that according to some
forecasts, the tourism industry is expected to post a 5-10% full-year
growth.

`In the first six months of the year 207,720 foreign tourists visited
Armenia, almost as many as in the first six months of 2008.
Nevertheless, we have reasons to expect at least a %5 growth by the end
of the year,’ he said.

He said although the vast majority of all foreign tourists visiting
Armenia are ethnic Armenians, the share of non-Armenians is on the
rise. According to official figures, some 588,000 foreign tourists
visited Armenia in 2008, by 9.4% up from 2007 ( 510,000). The number of
foreign tourists visiting Armenia has been rising 20-25% a year since
2001. M.M. -0-