Iran-Armenia-Georgia tourism market gaining momentum: official

PanARMENIAN.Net - Enhancement of tourism competitiveness is a major issue for the development of the sector in Armenia, the head of Tourism Department at the Ministry of Economy told a press conference Tuesday, February 16, according to Tert.am.

“In this context, we have much to do to ensure the quality of service of both infrastructures and human resources,” Mekhak Apresyan said, also citing the diversification of tourism product as a vital problem.

“In 2015, the government approved the project of using caves for the purposes of tourism. We should develop and strengthen caving tourism in close cooperation with competent local government authorities and the private sector,” the official said.

“Faced with a problem finding and developing new markets, we have started an active cooperation with Iran and China. Also, we see prospects of collaboration on a joint Iran-Armenia-Georgia market,” Apresyan noted.

According to him, the country has to work hard to attract more tourists from Russia, although the latter already accounts for some 45% of international arrivals to Armenia.