Friday, February 10 2017 19:37

ArmInfo. Armenian  State Committee on tourism intended to duplicate tourits flow in Armenia by 2020. The tourism sector in Armenia finished the year of 2016 with 5,7% growth. That was stated by Zarmine Zejtuntsyan, the Head of Armenian State Committee on tourism un der the Ministry  of Economy and Investments, mentioning that during  the year of 2016 Armenia welcomed 2.867 mln foreign nationals, 1.259 from which were tourists. 

According to her, the  greatest role in the  tourism growth is up to nationals of Russia,Iran, Arabian Emirates, China and others. At that Zejtuntsyan stated that the number of Iranian tourists in 2016 grew for 30%, and Russian - for 2,3%,versus the 6% drop down a year before.  Comparing the figures of Armenia and Georgian tourism sectors, Zejtuntssyan mentioned that despite the assets allocated from the budget for the tourism development (USD 400 thousand against USD 8 mln allocated in Georgia in 2016), from  all the  persons visited Georgia (6,6 mln), the tourist share formed  just 2,8 mln or 42,4%, while in Armenia this indicator is equal to 43,9%. In this respect Zejtuntsyan mentioned: " The results are not deriving much in per cent expression. And if we look at this issue from another point of view, than USD 8 mln is too big figure for tourism development".

 Particularly, talking about the reduction of budget assets allocated for tourism development in 2017, Zejtuntsyan mentioned also the essential role of Diaspora, which is interested in supporting the Tourism State Committee in improving the fame of Armenia at international platforms.  "We have got what we have got. We need to use our creative mind and to secure the support of good partners, particularly Diaspora, which is ready to provide us  the help needed," she said.

Among the additional factors of the  tourists inflow to Armenia Zejtuntsyan stated the visa waiver regime and Russian nationals entrance  in Armenia using national passports.  To remind, the State Committee on Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Investments started its work  in October 2016.