Tourists flow to Armenia to increase by 10% in 2009

Head of Tourism Department of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development Mekhak Apresyan presented the figures on tourism inflow in Armenia in 2007-2008 at a press conference today.

In 2008, 588 thousands of tourists visited Armenia, an increase of 9,4% compared to 2007. In 2007, the number of tourists having visited Armenia made 510 thousands.

Mekhak Apresyan also presented the forecast for 2009.

"We expect at least 10% growth," he said.

Head of Tourism Department said that an average tourist spends about $1400 in Armenia during one visit.

Mekhak Apresyan also touched upon the effect of the world crisis on tourism in general.

According to him, in 2006 the average growth of tourism flows made 4-4,5%, in 2007 it was already 6,2%. And in 2008 a decline is observed: the growth made only 3-3,5%.

He also presented world tourism rate forecast for 2009.

"Under current conditions of economy development the tourism growth will fluctuate from 0 to 1 per cent. There is a negative growth forecast all over the world," Mekhak Apresyan said.