Armenia, competitiveness fund, south tourism corridor, project

YEREVAN, April 20. / ARKA /. Armenia’s National Competitiveness Fund said today it will present a strategic project designed to boost tourism industry in the south regions of Armenia on April 21 in Yerevan. The project called South Tourism Corridor is developed by British AECOM at the initiative of Armenian ministry of economy and the National Competitiveness Fund

According to a press release issued by the Fund, the project that has been developed since 2010 October, will serve as a key guideline in shaping a new approach towards development of tourism industry in Armenia.

‘Its implementation will help increase the share of tourism in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), create new jobs and improve the living standards of rural population,’ it said.

The South Tourism Corridor embraces a territory from famous Areni winemaking area in Vayots Dzor province to Tatev-Goris in Syunik. The stretch is divided into five clusters including Yeghegnadzor, Sisian, Goris, Tatev and Jermuk.

The presentation will be attended by economy minister Tigran Davtian, Armenia’s National Competitiveness Fund executive director Bekor Papazian, members of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, representatives of international organizations and investors.

According to government data, the number of tourists visiting Armenia in 2010 grew by 18.9% to 684,000. Authorities expected this figure to rise to 800,000 this year. -0-