INFLOW OF TOURISTS TO ARMENIA SCALES UP

ArmInfo
2009-11-06 16:17:00

ArmInfo. Inflow of tourists to Armenia till the end of the year will
reach 600000 people growing 7.4% per year, says Mekhak Apresyan,
Head of the Armenian Economy Ministry Department for Tourism. He
told ArmInfo that in Jan-Sept 2009 422807 tourists visited Armenia,
which was 5.8% more than in the same period of 2008. M. Apresyan
says that in winter tourists can have a rest at the resort towns of
Tsakhkadzor and Jermuk as well as in Gyumri were skiing is becoming
more and more popular.

Although 60% of tourists visiting Armenia are Diaspora representatives,
M.Apresyan says, residents of more and more countries are visiting
Armenia year by year. "Over the last year tourists from the
Scandinavian countries and the Far East had visited Armenia. The
number of tourists from Iran and Turkey has significantly grown as
well," he said.

As regards hotel resorts, he said Armenia offers over 170 accommodation
facilities, and over 70 hotels. Half of these complexes are in the
regions. The number of Bed and Breakfasts keeps on growing.

National Statistical Service of Armenia reports 396560 people left
Armenia for tourism purpose in Jan-Sept 2009, which is 1.2% more than
a year ago.