German speaking tourists are majority in Armenia -Tour operators
08.08.2012,
18:28
The biggest number of tourists come to Armenia from German speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Armenia’s Union of Incoming Tour Operators president Armine Adamyan said Wednesday.
YEREVAN, August 8. /ARKA/. The biggest number of tourists come to Armenia from German speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Armenia’s Union of Incoming Tour Operators president Armine Adamyan said Wednesday.
According to her, these countries are followed by Italy, Spain, Latin American states and Russia.
“Due to the efforts of the local tour operators and the government, the inner tourism in Armenian has reported a significant progress this year,” Adamyan said.
According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, 281,034 tourists visited Armenia in the first half which is 5.1% higher from the same period a year earlier.
“Of course, Armenia is not Brazil, where people go to see carnivals, we don’t have sea, but we have a rich history and culture that attract tourists. Besides, the local tour operators offer different tour packages, including wine, rural, adventure tourism, etc,” he added.
She also noted that the government needs to undertake a number of steps, such as advertising Armenia abroad, facilitating entry visa procedures, opening new flights, reducing service tariffs, to develop inner tourism in Armenia.
The Union of Inner Tour Operators includes 20 companies. Earlier Deputy Economy Minister of Armenia Ara Petrosyan said the country expects 8-10% growth in tourist flows indicating 800,000 tourists.
In 2011 758,000 tourists visited Armenia, each of whom spent nearly $1,000. At the same time the number of Armenians going abroad totaled 714,000, up by 10 % from a year earlier. —0--
