FEAR OF MONOPOLY HINDERS DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM

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September 27 has been celebrated as the International Day of Tourism since 1890. The companies serving on the UN system have chosen the day because it’s the end of season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the season in the southern one.

This year the topic of the Day of Tourism will be “Transport and traveling: from the fantasies of Jules Verne to the realities of the 21st century.”

To the surprise of private tourist agencies, being a members of the World Tourism Association the RA government never celebrated the holiday.

Presently 14 tourist agents are registered in Armenia. Two years ago they united forming the Union of Armenian Tour Operators. According to executive director Araik Vardanyan the statistics of the world tourist organization showed the following picture: if in 1950 the number of travelers made 20 million, last year it increased to 760 million. In 2020 the number of tourists will reach 1.5 billion annually.

“At the world tourist market Armenia occupies a minor position”, say the representatives of the companies engaged in the field. According to the official date, 30 thousand tourists visited Armenia this year, 30% came from the CIS states, 28.5% form the EU states and 19.5% from the United States.

The Armenian tour operators state that Armenia is capable to receive about 500 thousand tourists. However a number of obstacles hinders Armenia from using its high potential.

“Proper state program, professional personnel and information centers are essential for the development of tourism in Armenia”, Director ofo First Travel company Ruben Grigoryan says.

The operators do not turn to oligarchs for help fearing of a monopoly.