10% Growth in Armenian Tourist Arrivals Expected in 2009

Yerevan, Armenia, May 15, 2009 --(PR.com)-- According to the country’s National Statistical Service, 86,569 tourists visited Armenia between January-March, 2009 – a 2.8 % increase compared to the same period last year. The Armenian Diaspora constitutes approximately 62% of the inbound tourist flow to Armenia. The remainder largely comprises tourists from Russia, Georgia, EU countries, the USA and Iran.

The Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA), in continuing the positive trend, reported a 38% increase in visitors at the ARMENIAInformation Visitor Information Center between January 1st and March 1st, 2009 compared to the same period last year.

“We are expecting about a 10% increase this year in the number of tourist arrivals mainly from France, Italy, Germany as well as Iran and USA”, mentioned Mr. Mekhak Apresyan, Head of the Tourism and Regional Economic Development Department at the RA Ministry of Economy at a recent press conference.

“Armenia’s annual growth in tourist arrivals has been 23-25% over the past seven years”, stated Mr. Apresyan. “A 9.4 % increase was recorded in the number of the tourists in 2008 (558,443) compared to 2007 (510.287)”.

About ATDAThe Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA) was established as the Government’s tourism promotional arm in June 2001. In partnership with private business, it aims to market Armenia in local and international markets, and create programs aiding the overall development of Armenia’s tourism industry.

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