Travel agents summing up first half-year results

PanARMENIAN.Net - According to Hotels.com online booking system, about 300 000 Russian tourists visited Armenia last year. In 2010, the figure will reach 500 000.

The total number of tourists visiting Armenia has increased by 9.4% as compared with last year’s index. The National Statistical Service reported that 92 955 people visited Armenia during the past year while 90 950 Armenians went abroad as tourists.

Director General of Yerevan Travel Hovhannes Khachatryan says Armenia attracts with its low process. An average price of a travel package to Armenia is $600-700 (25 000 rubles), including the flight, accommodation, excursions, insurance and meals.

In summer, middle-aged tourists arrive to visit Lake Sevan or Jermuk resort. In winter, young tourists prefer ski resorts.

To discuss ways of development of mountain tourism in the South Caucasus, head of Tourism Department of the Ministry of Economy of Armenia Mekhak Apresyan, Executive Director of National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia Pegor Papazian and representatives of Armenian tour agencies participated in an international conference in Tbilisi.

Elite Group company built a European-class Aghveran Hotel located 50km of Yerevan . The holiday center occupies 60,000sq.m. and consists of 8 wings. Besides, it has a bowling center, pool, tennis court, etc. $5mln was invested in the hotel. "Previously, Abovyan used to be an industrial region with numerous plants. After the USSR collapse, many plants were shut down, resulting in job reduction. The region's social and economic development is of keen importance. Currently, the region's development is largely based on tourism, as a result of which tens of hotels and rest houses have been constructed there," Prime Minister said Tigran Sargsyan said during the opening ceremony.

He also noted that the investments in the region are very effective. "It is important that the guarantees provided to Elite Group company as part of the anti-crisis policy have justified themselves," he said.