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ARMENIAN TOURISTS PREFER LOCAL RESORTS TO GEORGIAN: HEAD OF UNION OF TOUR OPERATORS
ARKA
Sep 27, 2011
YEREVAN, September 27. / ARKA /. Robert Minasian, chairman of the
Union of Armenian Travel Agencies, said today Armenians this year
preferred local resorts to Georgians. Mr. Minasian, who is also the
rector of the Armenian Institute of Tourism (it is a branch of Russian
International Academy of Tourism), explained the decreased flow of
Armenian holiday makers to neighbouring Georgia by the government
decision to set up public beaches on Lake Sevan and the increased
quality of services at home.
Speaking at a news conference he said rising prices and poor services
at home were the main reason making Armenians choose Georgia as
a vacation destination. He said in many countries domestic tourism
accounts for about 30-40% of all revenue generated by the industry. He
then highlighted the need to build up on positive changes in this
sector.
In general, he said, over the past 20 years Armenia has seen
significant progress in the development of tourism industry, however,
the indicators are still below the Soviet-era figures.
Mr. Minasian also proposed to introduce a coupon system whereby half
the cost of the vacation of an employee is paid by his or her company.
He also said Armenian recreation areas should offer a 50% discount
during the so-called "dead" seasons, lasting from October to March. He
said this will allow even middle-income families and seniors to have
their vacations in the country, as well as ensure uninterrupted
operation of hotel infrastructures which are usually idle during
this season.
According to estimates of Armenian experts, during the tourist season
each year about $100 million of Armenian money outflows to Georgia.
This amount increases to $300 million if we add to it business
investments in Georgia's tourism industry by Armenian businesses.
According to the National Statistical Service, the number of tourists
visiting Armenia in January-June 2011 increased by 15.6% compared to
the same period in 2010 and amounted to 266,155 people. At the same
time, as evidenced by the statistics, during the reporting period the
number of Armenian tourists travelling outside Armenia increased by
18% from a year earlier to 274,621 people.
From: Baghdasarian
ARKA
Sep 27, 2011
YEREVAN, September 27. / ARKA /. Robert Minasian, chairman of the
Union of Armenian Travel Agencies, said today Armenians this year
preferred local resorts to Georgians. Mr. Minasian, who is also the
rector of the Armenian Institute of Tourism (it is a branch of Russian
International Academy of Tourism), explained the decreased flow of
Armenian holiday makers to neighbouring Georgia by the government
decision to set up public beaches on Lake Sevan and the increased
quality of services at home.
Speaking at a news conference he said rising prices and poor services
at home were the main reason making Armenians choose Georgia as
a vacation destination. He said in many countries domestic tourism
accounts for about 30-40% of all revenue generated by the industry. He
then highlighted the need to build up on positive changes in this
sector.
In general, he said, over the past 20 years Armenia has seen
significant progress in the development of tourism industry, however,
the indicators are still below the Soviet-era figures.
Mr. Minasian also proposed to introduce a coupon system whereby half
the cost of the vacation of an employee is paid by his or her company.
He also said Armenian recreation areas should offer a 50% discount
during the so-called "dead" seasons, lasting from October to March. He
said this will allow even middle-income families and seniors to have
their vacations in the country, as well as ensure uninterrupted
operation of hotel infrastructures which are usually idle during
this season.
According to estimates of Armenian experts, during the tourist season
each year about $100 million of Armenian money outflows to Georgia.
This amount increases to $300 million if we add to it business
investments in Georgia's tourism industry by Armenian businesses.
According to the National Statistical Service, the number of tourists
visiting Armenia in January-June 2011 increased by 15.6% compared to
the same period in 2010 and amounted to 266,155 people. At the same
time, as evidenced by the statistics, during the reporting period the
number of Armenian tourists travelling outside Armenia increased by
18% from a year earlier to 274,621 people.
From: Baghdasarian