Income from tourism totals $160 million in Armenia in Jan-June 2008
Income from tourism totals $160 million in Armenia in Jan-June 200816.09.2008, ARKA
Income from tourism totaled $160 million in Armenia in Jan/June 2008. Thus result is 15 percent greater than that of the same period of the previous year. Mekhak Apresyan, chief of Economy Ministry’s unit on tourism, speaking at a press conference on Thursday, said more than 207,500 tourists visited Armenia in the first half of 2008. He said this number is 13.3% greater than that of the same period a year earlier. “One tourist spends $700 to $2000 on average in Armenia, excluding price for air ticket”, Apresyan said. He also said that the number of tourists traveling to Armenia through tour operators makes only 20% of total number.
“The share of organized tourism is very small in Armenia. It should be enlarged for spurring income growth in tourism sector”, Apresyan said. He said that 150 travel companies function in Armenia - 40 of them are completely accomplished companies. According to statistical reports, an average annual growth of tourist inflow is 25%, beginning from 2001.
The reports say 318,000 tourists came to Armenia in 2005, 381,000 in 2006 and 500,000 in 2007. M.V.-0---
